Princess of Burundi: rules of content and photos

The first spectacular aquarium fish with the romantic name of Princess Burundi (Neolamprologus brichardi) was described in 1952 by ichthyologist Poll. To us in the country this beauty was delivered in 1972. This fish belongs to the family of cichlids, a group of perciforms. Her homeland is the warm African Lake Tanganyika.

Description of fish

Popularity among aquarists Princess Burundi deserved not only for unpretentiousness and endurance, but also for an attractive appearance. The body of this fish is colored in a pleasant pinkish-beige color. On each scales, as well as on fins, there are small specks of a brick shade. From the eye of the fish to its gills is interrupted in one place a fairly wide black band. Above it is a large bright yellow spot. During spawning, the male tail and head are painted blue.

From many other cichlids, the Princess of Burundi is distinguished by rather unusual fins. Their edges are trimmed in white, and the tips are effectively elongated, because of what they have a lyrical appearance. In good conditions, the length of the body of this fish can reach 9-14 cm.

How to maintain

Water in the homeland of the Princess of Burundi, in Tanganyika Lake, is stiff, has a slightly alkaline reaction. In order for the fish to feel comfortable, it is necessary to try to create such conditions in the aquarium. The most suitable temperature for this cichlid water temperature is +22 ... +25 degrees. To stimulate spawning, this indicator is increased to about 28 degrees. The stiffness (dH) of water in the aquarium should be 8-20, and the acidity (pH) - 7.1-8.6.

Lack of oxygen in the water fish Princess of Burundi does not bear well. Therefore, the aquarium should be equipped with a powerful aerator. Determine that the princess does not have enough air, you can by her behavior. With oxygen starvation, these fish begin to swim, having lifted their tail, and, like any other inhabitants of the aquarium, rise closer to the surface of the water.

In addition to the aerator, for this cichlid need to install a filter (preferably with a filler of marble chips). Keep a couple of these fish is allowed in the aquarium to 50 liters. This princess is enough. However, since this cuckhe salmon is better, it is better to buy one male and several females and place them in the aquarium a little more - by 150-200 liters. In such conditions, it is possible that the owner of the fish will be able to look at their group spawning.

In the aquarium for the Princess of Burundi, it is best to create a rocky terrain. Also it is necessary to plant plants. This can be, for example, vallisneria, kamboba, etc. Under the plants it is necessary to use special pots. The fact is that sometimes this cichlid green plantations are trying to dig. To replace water in the aquarium with this fish should be once a week for 10-25% of the volume.

Princess of Burundi: compatibility with other fish

This beautiful fish is appreciated by aquarists, including for its calm, peaceful nature. With any other large not very aggressive fish, she gets along just fine. Very often it is kept together, for example, with Raduzhnitsami and Aterinami. It is allowed to run it in one aquarium and with quiet varieties of cichlids. Sometimes these fish are kept even with Guppy and Molly, who also prefer hard, slightly alkaline water. But this is possible only if the aquarium is very large and the fish have grown together.

Aggressive this cichlid becomes usually during spawning. During this period, fish from the general aquarium should be planted in a special, intended for the withdrawal of fry.

Features of behavior

The flocks of these cichlids are always based on blood relationship. In this case, they have the strictest hierarchy. The core of the pack is a pair of producers. The second step in the hierarchy is occupied by the young females helping them in the care of the fry. The next group is ordinary young. And the most disenfranchised members of the school are fish that have already reached 3-4 months of age. These aquarium inhabitants do not even have their own territory. In nature, they swim in the upper layers of the water and are often attacked by predators.

What to feed

In nature, Princess Burundi, whose content is relatively simple procedure, feeds on small mollusks, zooplankton and water insects. In an aquarium environment, it is usually given live food. This fish can also be fed dry. However, she does not do it very willingly. Some aquarists give Princess Burundi and finely chopped sea fish. River feed this cichlid, of course, not. Such meat can contain viruses and bacteria that can cause this aquarium inhabitant dangerous diseases.

Features of reproduction

Puberty in fish Princess of Burundi comes at the age of 8-10 months. The pre-spawn female has a long genital papilla. This fish is laying eggs very often. She can nerestsya about once in 20 days. In this case, fishes often form pairs, but sometimes they also have group spawning.

The volume of spawning aquarium for Princess Burundi should be at least 50 liters. These fish are laid on either flat stones or from inside the shelters. They take care of her very carefully, not allowing anyone in the radius of 25 cm to approach the future offspring. The fertility of Princess Burundi is high. At a time, the couple can lay aside 200 eggs. The female lays about 30-80 of them in batches.

How the fish develops

Hatching larvae from caviar on the third day. After 8-9 days they turn into fry. To feed such young cichlids follows live dust. Very often it happens that manufacturers begin to take care not only of their offspring, but also about the alien of the same species. In the first two days the fry keep strictly to their mother. Then they begin to sail to bright places in search of food. Approximately 7 days after hatching, their eyes turn blue, and after 14 - a white rim on the fins appears.

The parents take care of the fry for two weeks. After this, young fish begin an independent life.

Interesting Facts

For the first time in the USSR, 14 juveniles of this interesting cichlids were brought. Unfortunately, first Soviet aquarists took them for a new species of Apistogramma. As a result, the fish created inappropriate conditions of detention, because of which almost all the fry died. Only three individuals remained alive.

Some aquarists initially take this cichlid for a very shy. The fact is that the Princess of Burundi, with the slightest noise or sharp movements of the owner, immediately hides. However, in reality it is just a normal reaction to a possible danger. Within a few seconds the fish begin to peek out from behind the shelter and swim out into the free space.

As already mentioned, Princess Burundi (photo above confirms this clearly), unlike all the other lamprologs, the fish are schooling. Moreover, in each group of such cyclides there are rules and orders, which can not be violated by any individual. All the guilty undisciplined members of the pack are expelled. In this case, the fish severely beat the intruder. Very often out of the pack, the females are also expelled, who could not save their offspring.

About fry the aquarium fish Princess of Burundi generally takes care very carefully. In nature, protecting fry, these small cichlids are able to attack even large predatory fish, biting it with their sharp teeth.