Teleogramma brichardi Care Guide
Teleogramma brichardi is a rheophilic cichlid from the lower Congo River rapids with a reduced swim bladder, requiring strong current and high oxygen.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Teleogramma brichardi is an elongated, rheophilic cichlid from the rapids of the lower Congo River. The species has a reduced swim bladder and moves in short darting hops along the bottom rather than swimming in open water. It is a specialist that requires strong current and well-oxygenated water.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Teleogramma
- Scientific name: Teleogramma brichardi
- Described: Poll, 1959
Habitat
The species is found in rapids near Kinsuka on the lower Congo River, in the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. FishBase records a pH of 6.0 to 7.0, a temperature of 20 to 23 °C and a hardness of 7 to 10 dH for the species. It is a rheophilic, pair-bonding cave spawner.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- Strong current and high oxygenation required
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
Diet
The species is carnivorous, with a trophic level estimated from its close relatives. In the aquarium it takes meaty frozen and live foods. Small frequent feedings suit its bottom-foraging habit.
Compatibility
The species is semi-aggressive and territorial, claiming bottom territories among the rocks. Suitable companions are other rheophilic Congo fish such as Steatocranus and current-adapted Synodontis. Slow open-water fish and hard-water Rift-lake cichlids should be avoided.
Breeding
The species is a pair-bonding cave spawner. A pair claims a cave or rocky crevice for breeding and both parents care for the brood. Breeding is considered advanced because the strong-current, high-oxygen conditions are demanding to maintain.
Conservation status
FishBase lists Teleogramma brichardi as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List. The species is restricted to a narrow stretch of Congo rapids vulnerable to habitat change.
Teleogramma brichardi Breeding Guide
Overview
Teleogramma brichardi is a slender, dark, eel-shaped cichlid from the rapids near Kinsuka in the lower Congo River, recorded in the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The genus is limited to fast-flowing rapids; the fish are very elongated, with very small scales, a reduced swim bladder and an uninterrupted (single) lateral line, all adaptations to life among rocks in strong current. FishBase records a maximum of about 8.8 cm SL (to 11 cm total length) and lists the species as Critically Endangered (assessed 2009).
Conditioning
As a rheophilic, rock-associated predator (trophic level around 3.3), this species should be conditioned on meaty live and frozen foods in highly oxygenated, fast-moving water. Maintaining clean, well-circulated water year-round keeps adults in condition.
Breeding Setup
- Water temperature: 20-23 °C (FishBase).
- pH: 6.0-7.0; hardness about 7-10 dH (FishBase).
- Current: strong, high-oxygen flow recreating Congo rapids.
- Décor: rocks with caves and crevices on which the fish can perch and spawn.
- Stocking: a compatible pair, given the pair-bonding habit.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
FishBase describes T. brichardi as a pair-bonding cave spawner with notable parental care. The pair selects a rocky cave or crevice for spawning, and strong, oxygen-rich, flowing water is the key environmental requirement. Because the swim bladder is reduced, the fish stay close to the substrate and rockwork during courtship and spawning.
Egg & Fry Care
Broods are small: FishBase reports the female produces 10-30 eggs per spawning. The eggs are tended within the cave and the pair shows the parental care typical of cave-spawning cichlids. Given the small brood, careful attention to water quality, oxygenation and suitably sized first foods is needed to raise the fry.
Common Challenges
This is a specialist, advanced species. Recreating high-oxygen, fast-flowing rapids water, maintaining the cooler temperature range and managing a territorial rheophilic cichlid are the major challenges, alongside its conservation-sensitive, Critically Endangered status, which makes responsible captive breeding particularly valuable.