Jewel Cichlid

Hemichromis bimaculatus

Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Cichliformes›Cichlidae

📍 West & Central Africa

Dazzling African cichlid covered in iridescent turquoise spots on a vivid red-orange body during breeding. Exceptional parents. Highly territorial when spawning — keep only a mated pair or with robust tankmates.

Size6"

Min Tank30g

aggressive

Zonemid

Care Guide

Diet

Jewel cichlids are omnivorous and require a varied diet of high-quality cichlid pellets, flake foods, and regular offerings of frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Feed small amounts once daily, only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes. Supplement with vegetable matter like blanched spinach or spirulina-based foods occasionally.

Behavior

Jewel cichlids are highly territorial and aggressive, especially during breeding season when they become extremely defensive of their spawning site and fry. They are active mid-water swimmers with bold personalities, often displaying vibrant coloration when establishing dominance. They should be kept singly or as a bonded pair only; they will harass or kill most other fish in the tank.

Breeding

Breeding in captivity is relatively easy once a compatible pair bonds, as they are excellent parents that guard eggs and fry aggressively. Provide caves or PVC pipes as spawning sites, maintain water temperature at 26-28°C, and perform regular water changes to trigger spawning. Expect 200-300 fry per spawn, but remove other tank inhabitants to prevent predation and injury from the protective parents.

Tank Mates

Bristlenose Pleco

Bottom-dweller that avoids conflict; nocturnal habits reduce interaction with territorial cichlid

good

Silver Dollar

Larger, robust fish that may coexist if tank is 40+ gallons, but aggression risk remains high

caution

Severum

Similar size and temperament; only attempt in very large tanks (50+ gallons) with multiple hiding spots

caution

Striped Raphael Catfish

Nocturnal armored catfish that occupies different niche; less likely to trigger aggression

good

Common Diseases

Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)

Symptoms

White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, rubbing against objects, lethargy

Treatment

Raise temperature to 28-30°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use ich medication (malachite green or formalin) following label directions for 7-10 days

Fin Rot

Symptoms

Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin base, progressive fin loss

Treatment

Improve water quality with frequent water changes, remove sharp decorations, treat with antibacterial medication or salt baths (1 teaspoon per gallon for 15 minutes daily)

Hole-in-the-Head (HITH)

Symptoms

Pits or holes developing on head and lateral line, loss of appetite, lethargy

Treatment

Perform 50% water changes twice weekly, improve diet with quality foods and vitamin supplements, use metronidazole-based medication if bacterial infection is suspected

Bacterial Infection

Symptoms

Red streaks on body or fins, swollen areas, open sores, cloudy eyes

Treatment

Isolate in hospital tank, maintain pristine water conditions, treat with broad-spectrum antibiotic medication or salt baths; address underlying stress factors