Red Jewel Cichlid – Hemichromis bimaculatus

Common Names: Jewelfish, Two-Spotted Jewelfish

Scientific Name: Hemichromis bimaculatus

Place of Origin: Zaire, Africa river region

Common Length: 4-5 inches if kept in adequate tank conditions with proper filtration

Coloration: General coloration is a yellowish olive based color but Jewels tend to turn a brilliant red when breeding. Blue spots or freckles will appear along body when intense coloration is started. Fins usually show a lining of various shades of blue or red.

Body Structure: Common cichlid body shape, oval formed. Very pronounced fin definition. The body is generally broader in the front to slimming in the back.

Tank Buddies: They are very few fish that can be placed with Red Jewel. Generally the Red Jewls will accept peacock cichlids, same sized mbunas, or haplochromis African cichlids. They are very aggressive towards New World Cichlids such as a Green Terror, Smaller Dwarf Cichlids, Jack Dempseys, etc.

Aggression Level: These are one of the most aggressive tropical fish kept by aquarist and absolutely under no conditions should be kept in a community tank with other fish. At breeding time these cichlids will terrorize and kill the entire tank sometimes including their breeding mate.

Breeding: Breeding of Red Jewels is quite easy once they have established a pairing. Pairing the jewels is a little of a challenge. As with most other fish group 5-6 together as juveniles and wait for the natural pairing to occur. When it occurs remove all other fish. Red Jewels will lay there eggs on cleaned flatrocks or often the glass. Once fry hatch leave the parents with the fry. Jewels are probably the best parental fish of any cichlids.

Aquarium Setup: Jewels will prefer sand as they are sifting fish that sift through the sand or silt for food. Plenty of rockwork and caves are needed to break the aggression of the fish down a little. Driftwood can be used as a great centerpiece for the Jewels to hover around.

Feeding: Red Jewels are carnivorous and prefer a meaty diet. A good quality pellet food such as Hikari Bio-Gold or NLS Cichlid formula should be used as the staple. Red Jewels also prefer bloodworms, insects, or shrimp.

Red Jewel Cichlid - Copyright www.jjphoto.dk

Red Jewel Cichlid - Copyright www.jjphoto.dk

Red Jewel Cichlid - Copyright www.jjphoto.dk