Jewel Cichlid

Scientific Name: Hemichromis bimaculatus

Common Name: Jewelfish, Jewelfish Cichlid, Ruby Cichlid, African Jewelfish, Two-Spotted Jewelfish, Blue Jewel, Green Jewel

Adult Size: 4 - 5 inches

Life Expectancy: 5+ years

Habitat: West and Central Africa

Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons

Ideal Tank Conditions:

Temperature Range: 70 - 74°F

pH Range: 7.0 - 7.5

Water Hardness: 4 - 18

Temperament: Aggressive

Diet & Nutrition: Live foods are preferred. Frozen foods are accepted and should be given at least once per week; good high-quality flake food is also accepted.

Breeding & Spawning: The female will lay the eggs on a flat surface. After 2 to 4 days, the eggs hatch and the parents will move them to another location for another couple of days until the babies are swimming. Jewel Cichlids are attentive parents. Fry foods include finely crushed flake foods, baby brine shrimp or other readily available fry foods.

Gender: Difficult to determine, but males may become even more brilliantly colored when breeding.