Neolamprologus brichardi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Neolamprologus brichardi |
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Neolamprologus brichardi is a special type of cichlid fish. It lives only in the alkaline waters of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. This fish is very popular for aquariums and has many fun common names. People call it the Princess cichlid, Princess of Burundi, Lyretail cichlid, Fairy cichlid, or Brichard's lamprologus. Scientists also study this fish a lot to learn about how fish behave. It is closely related to another fish called N. pulcher. Some experts even think they might be the same species!
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Amazing Behaviors of the Princess Cichlid
The Princess cichlid is known for its unique and interesting behaviors.
How They Reproduce
This fish is a "substrate spawner." This means it lays its eggs on a surface, usually on rocks. When they are nesting, the parents protect their eggs and young very carefully. They become quite protective of their small territory, which is usually just a few square meters. They will chase away other fish that come too close to their nest.
Living Together
Even though they protect their nests, these fish are not always aggressive. When they are not nesting, they are quite peaceful with other fish of their own kind. In fact, they are one of the few cichlids that swim together in large groups, called schools. You might even see a school of nearly 100,000 Princess cichlids in one area!
Helping Each Other: A Collective Nursery
One of the most amazing things about N. brichardi is its "collective nursery" system. This means that fish of all ages – adults, teenagers, and even older young fish – help raise the babies. They don't just care for their own young. They also look after the babies of other fish around them. At the same time, they keep an eye on other adults that are still laying eggs. This is a lot like how some other animals, like meerkats, work together to raise their young.
What They Eat
N. brichardi mainly eats tiny creatures from the rocky areas of the lake. They pick at small crustaceans and other tiny invertebrates. If there are lots of plankton swimming around, they will also eat those.
Why the Name "Brichardi"?
The name brichardi was given to honor Pierre Brichard (1921-1990). He was a person who exported aquarium fish and lived near Lake Tanganyika.
See Also
- List of freshwater aquarium fish species
- Lamprologus
Images for kids
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A young Princess cichlid
