It is found in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia.

It builds a nest of rubble which is hidden by plants or algae, and its diet consists primarily of invertebrates.

C. brichardi lacks any body striping as an adult, only possessing barring around the facial region, which differentiates it from other Chalinochromis.

However, their markings change dramatically as they mature from juveniles to adult fish; as juveniles they display barring all along their body, much like other members of its genus, but this disappears as they mature with the exception of the black barring around the head.

Due to their aggressive nature, it is not recommended to house this fish with any other species other than unobtrusive bottom feeders.