Edit Paracyprichromis brieni

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Name

Scientific name

Paracyprichromis brieni

Described by

Not recorded

Family

Cichlidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 1 credited

Summary

Paracyprichromis brieni is a deep-water cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it is quite widespread. Males hold territories under rock…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

110mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm, Minimum height 38 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 24–27°C, pH 7.5–9

Hardness

8–25dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Not recorded

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Burundi, DR Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, Lake Tanganyika

Writing

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

Endemic to Lake Tanganyika. It is quite widespread in the lake.

Habitat

It is found in relatively deep water, with females in open water just above areas of rocky substrates and males preferring to sit under rocky overhangs or in c…

Aquarium size

120 ∗ 45 ∗ 38 cm - ~205 litres is large enough for a small shoal.

Maintenance

This species will generally be found in the upper levels of the aquarium and swimming space is important. Most hobbyists like to keep it in a community with ot…

Water conditions

Temperature: 24 – 27 °C pH: 7.5-9.0 Hardness: 8-25°H

Diet

P. brieni will accept most foods offered but live and frozen varieties should form the bulk of the diet. This fish has a small mouth and is a zooplankton feede…

Behaviour and compatibility

Very peaceful and retiring. Do not keep with boisterous species such as mbuna or that inhabit similar areas in the tank like Cyprichromis. It is best kept in a…

Sexual dimorphism

Male fish are more colourful than females and develop longer extensions to the caudal fin.

Reproduction

Possible but rarely achieved in captivity. Polygamous maternal mouthbrooder. The breeding aquarium should be set up as suggested above. Large caves and vertica…

Possible but rarely achieved in captivity. Polygamous maternal mouthbrooder. The breeding aquarium should be set up as suggested above. Large caves and vertical rock walls are highly recommended. A pH of 8.0-9.0 and a temperature of 24 – 25.5 °C75 – 78 °F are ideal. We recommend the purchase of a group of at least 8 fish and allowing things to develop naturally. Several females should be kept per male.

The males will form territories in caves and it is against the rocky walls of these that spawning occurs. When in condition, males will start to display to passing females. When a female is ready to spawn, she will enter the territory of the chosen male and adopt a head down position towards the base of a rock wall. The male will follow and sit just above the female. The female releases eggs one at a time, taking them into her mouth as they reach the substrate, whilst the male produces a continuous stream of sperm in the direction of the female, thus fertilising the eggs. The pair continue in this manner until the female has 5-25 eggs in her buccal cavity.

The female will carry the brood for around 3-4 weeks before releasing the free swimming fry. She will not eat during this period and can be easily spotted by her distended mouth. If a female is overly stressed she may spit out the brood prematurely or eat them, so care must be taken if you decide to move the fish. Once the fry are released broodcare by the female ceases.

The fry are quite large and will accept newly hatched brine shrimp from the day they are released.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

Web address

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

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Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Notes

Although P. brieni is better kept in a group, it tends to form much looser shoals than the similar Cyprichromis species. Male fish form territories under overh…

References

No references

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References