Brichard's teleogramma
Teleogramma brichardi
Also known as Congo darter cichlid
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F (23–27°C)
- pH
- 6.5–7.8
- Adult size
- 4.1 in (10.5 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 53 gal (200 L)
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Lower Congo rapids
- Family
- Cichlidae
Overview
Brichard's teleogramma is a slender, bottom-hugging cichlid from the Congo rapids, best kept as a single fish or a pair since it is intolerant of its own kind and squabbles over the few good crevices. It lives pressed to the floor and rock, holds a territory, and can be sharp with similar bottom fish, so choose tankmates with care and give it slabs and caves of its own. It is a carnivore, so feed frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, mysis, and small sinking foods aimed at the bottom. A tank of around 200 liters or more, longer than it is tall and strongly filtered, suits it.
In the wild
Teleogramma brichardi lives in the rapids of the lower Congo River, threading through channels and crevices in bedrock and boulders in fierce, oxygen-rich current. Recreate that with a floor of flat rock and stone stacked into narrow caves, strong flow from powerheads, and high oxygen. The water is warm and near neutral, so hold 23 to 27 C and a pH of 6.5 to 7.8.
Good to know
Teleogramma brichardi belongs to the cichlid family and reaches about 10.5 centimeters, with a long, flattened, almost eel-like body suited to slipping into rock seams. It is a cave-spawning substrate brooder of medium difficulty. The sexes look different at breeding time: the female shows a white-edged dorsal fin and a pink to salmon belly, while the male stays plainer grey.
Did you know
Life in the rapids has reshaped this fish: its body is flattened and streamlined and its swim bladder is reduced, so instead of floating it skips along the bottom, tucking into rock cracks that the racing water cannot reach.
Common questions
What size tank does a Brichard's teleogramma need?
A Brichard's teleogramma needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Brichard's teleogramma need?
Brichard's teleogramma are comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.8.
How big do Brichard's teleogramma get?
An adult Brichard's teleogramma reaches about 4.1 in (10.5 cm).
Where to buy
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