Jewel Cichlid (Hemichromis bimaculatus)
| Jewel Cichlid Hemichromis bimaculatus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Jewel Cichlid |
| Name Lat. | Hemichromis bimaculatus |
| Family | Cichlids |
| Family lat. | Cichlidae |
| Order | Cichlids |
| Order lat. | Cichliformes |
| Origin | West Africa |
| Habitat | Tributaries, forest streams |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| pH | 6.0-7.8 |
| Behavior | Semi-aggressive |
| Keeping | Pair |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Substrate spawner |
| Breeding | Difficult |
| Life Span | 5-8 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 10 cm |
| Temperature | 22-26 °C |
| Hardness | 4-18 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 250 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 4" |
| Temperature | 72-79 °F |
| Hardness | 71-320 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 65 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The red cichlids are widespread along the west coast of Africa, from southern Guinea to central Liberia. There they live in slow-flowing forest streams and small rivers as well as in oxygen-rich lakes with sandy bottoms, roots and stones and overhanging shore vegetation
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) and oxygen-rich water 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 well accepted. In addition, they need some vegetable food, such as blanched spinach or dry food with high vegetable content (spirulina)
It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms. Only feed as much as is eaten immediately (in a maximum of 10 minutes).
Behaviour and compatibility
They should be kept in pairs. Especially at spawning time they behave extremely aggressive. Keeping several pairs is only recommended in a much larger and richly structured tank. They can be socialized with larger African tetras and cichlids as well as catfishes (e.g. Synodontis, Loricaria).
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The sexes are difficult to distinguish. The males are somewhat more intensely colored. With some experience the sexes can be distinguished by their genital papilla.
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 400 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 the 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
The Red Cichlids (Hemichromis bimaculatus) are often confused with the Lifalilis Cichlids (Hemichromis lifalili), but they only have two spots on the side. They lack the spot on the root of the tail.
Feeding live food promotes the color intensity of the fish.
The well-being of the fish should be checked 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: petdata
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF