Blood red flanks spangled with pinpricks of electric blue, deepening to near-scarlet when a pair comes into breeding condition. Outstanding parents and, during that same period, an outstanding menace.
Temperament
Common health issues
- Ich (white spot)
- Fin rot
- Swim bladder disorder
Care at a glance
- ExerciseHigh
A busy, energetic swimmer โ keep plenty of open swimming room.
- GroomingAttentive tank care
Sensitive to water quality โ stay on top of testing and maintenance.
- Living spaceNano-tank friendly
Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.
- Owner experienceSome experience helps
A little know-how makes life smoother.
- Commitment5โ8 years
Plan for a long, loving relationship.
Health to watch: Ich (white spot) ยท Fin rot ยท Swim bladder disorder
๐ Care guide
The Jewel Cichlid (Hemichromis lifalili, and the closely related H. bimaculatus) comes from West and Central African rivers and reaches about 10 to 12 cm. Both sexes are red with rows of iridescent blue spots and a dark shoulder blotch, and the colour intensifies dramatically when they pair off. It is an open substrate spawner: the pair cleans a flat stone, lays several hundred eggs and guards the fry with total commitment. A pair needs 150 litres or more at 24-28C, pH 6.5 to 7.5 in soft to moderately hard water, with flat stones, caves and robust plants, since the pair will dig. Feed quality pellets, frozen bloodworm, mysis and brine shrimp. The honest warning concerns breeding: outside of it a jewel is merely assertive, but a spawning pair will attack every other fish in a normal-sized tank, sometimes fatally, and many owners discover this after the fact. Either keep a pair in a species tank, or run a large tank with equally robust cichlids and accept periodic upheaval. It is not a community fish for tetras and gouramis.
Frequently asked questions
How active is a Jewel Cichlid?
High. A busy, energetic swimmer โ keep plenty of open swimming room.
How much maintenance does a Jewel Cichlid need?
Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality โ stay on top of testing and maintenance.
What tank size does a Jewel Cichlid need?
Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.
Is a Jewel Cichlid a good fit for first-time owners?
Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.
How long do Jewel Cichlid live?
5โ8 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.
What health issues affect the Jewel Cichlid?
Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Swim bladder disorder. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.
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