Red Jewel Cichlid (Hemichromis stellifer)
| Red Jewel Cichlid Hemichromis stellifer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Red Jewel Cichlid |
| Name Lat. | Hemichromis stellifer |
| 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 | Aggressive |
| Keeping | Pair |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Substrate spawner |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 5-8 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 8-10 cm |
| Temperature | 22-26 °C |
| Hardness | 4-15 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 250 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 3"-4" |
| Temperature | 72-79 °F |
| Hardness | 71-267 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 65 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The red cichlids are widespread in West Africa from Gabon to Zaire. There they live in slow flowing streams and small rivers as well as in oxygen rich lakes and ponds with sandy bottoms, roots and stones. There are some differently colored site variants.
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 and claim a large territory. 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 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 about 700 eggs on a well-cleaned, smooth stone. After about 2-3 days, the fry hatch and are then housed by the parents in a bottom pit until they swim freely after another 4-5 days. The fry are intensively guarded by both parents and led to other prepared bottom pits before brood care ends after a few weeks.
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii). Breeding is hardly possible in community tanks, as the fry are easy prey.
Important
In its range there are some differently colored site variants
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least fortnightly. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have 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 (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 3, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF