Banded Jewel Cichlid (Hemichromis elongatus)
| Banded Jewel Cichlid Hemichromis elongatus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Banded Jewel Cichlid |
| Name Lat. | Hemichromis elongatus |
| Family | Cichlids |
| Family lat. | Cichlidae |
| Order | Cichlids |
| Order lat. | Cichliformes |
| Origin | Africa |
| Habitat | Streams, rivers, ponds |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| pH | 6.0-7.8 |
| Behavior | Aggressive |
| Keeping | Pair |
| Care Level | Difficult |
| Reproduction | Substrate spawner |
| Breeding | Difficult |
| Life Span | 5-8 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 10-15 cm |
| Temperature | 22-25 °C |
| Hardness | 5-15 °dH |
| Aquarium | 120 cm / 240 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 3.9"-5.9" |
| Temperature | 72-77 °F |
| Hardness | 89-267 ppm |
| Aquarium | 65 gal |
Distribution and habitat
Five-spotted jewel perch are common along the west coast of Africa, from Guinea to Angola. They live in shallow, slow-moving and stagnant waters with sandy bottoms, roots and stones, occasionally in the brackish water of estuaries
Maintenance
The aquarium should be equipped with hiding places (crevices and caves) from stones and roots, as well as robust planting. A soft, diggable substrate and slightly subdued light (floating plants) is ideal
No ammonia, ammonium or nitrite should be detectable, and the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
The food offer consists of live food, such as daphnia, artemia, mysis, tubifex, mosquito larvae and shrimps, which is also accepted without problems in frozen form, supplemented with commercially available frozen special food mixtures for cichlids. High-quality dry food for cichlids (granules, pellets) is also accepted, but should not be the main component of their diet
It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms. Only as much should be fed as is eaten immediately (in a maximum of 10 minutes).
Behaviour and compatibility
These extremely territorial fish should be kept in pairs. Especially at spawning time they behave extremely aggressive. Keeping several pairs is only possible in a much larger and richly structured tank. A socialization is only recommended with larger and very defensible fish.
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water quality and water temperature may be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The sexes are difficult to distinguish. The males are slightly larger and more intensely colored than the females
Reproduction and breeding
They are substrate spawners and practice intensive brood care (parental family). Once a harmonizing pair has been found, the female usually spawns up to 800 eggs on a well-cleaned, smooth stone. After about 48 hours, the fry hatch and are then housed by the parents in a bottom pit until they swim freely after another 2-3 days. The fry are intensively guarded by both parents and led to other prepared bottom pits before brood care ends after about 4 weeks.
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey.
Important
They are voracious predators, burrow heavily and are among the most aggressive cichlids.
Feeding with live food promotes the color intensity of the fish.
The well-being of the fish should be monitored regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 2, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF