Brichard's chalinochromis

Care at a glance

Overview

A pair needs a tank of at least 200 liters with heavy rockwork and hard alkaline water at 24 to 27 C, pH 7.8 to 9.0. It is territorial and can be pushy, so it suits keepers with some experience of Tanganyikan cichlids. Feed frozen and dry foods including mysis, brine shrimp and quality pellets. Give it caves and passages to claim and defend.

In the wild

Brichard's chalinochromis is a rock dwelling relative of the julies from Lake Tanganyika. Adults are pale cream with faint markings and dark lines across the face. It threads through rocky slopes searching cracks for food.

Good to know

Chalinochromis brichardi is a cave spawner closely related to Julidochromis and shares their pattern of bonded pairs guarding a crevice. Juveniles carry bold dark stripes that fade to a plainer look as they mature. It is named after Pierre Brichard, who did much to introduce Tanganyikan cichlids to the hobby.

Did you know

Young fish look so different from adults, boldly striped versus nearly plain, that beginners sometimes think they bought two different species.

Related species

• 

  Cylindricus cichlid

  Neolamprologus cylindricus

  4.7 in (12 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Scrapermouth mbuna

  Labeotropheus trewavasae

  4.7 in (12 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Moore's lamprologus

  Variabilichromis moorii

  4.3 in (11 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Five-bar cichlid

  Neolamprologus tretocephalus

  5.9 in (15 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

• 

  Black calvus

  Altolamprologus calvus

  5.1 in (13 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Compressiceps

  Altolamprologus compressiceps

  5.1 in (13 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)