Blood-red jewel cichlid

Care at a glance

Overview

This one is genuinely aggressive, especially when breeding, so plan around that. A pair needs a tank of around 75 liters or more with caves and broken sightlines; many keepers go species-only or pick robust tankmates with care. Keep the water in the mid 20s C with a pH from slightly acidic to neutral. Feed quality pellets, frozen foods, and some plant matter.

In the wild

Blood-red jewel cichlids come from shallow, slow waters of rivers, lakes, and swamps in the Congo basin of Central Africa. They stick to spots with plants and rockwork that give them cover and territory edges. At home they want a warm tank with caves, flat stones, and clear boundaries between hiding places.

Good to know

This is a cichlid in the family Cichlidae, reaching about 10 cm, known for its deep red body flecked with iridescent blue-green spots. It looks similar to other Hemichromis jewels and is told apart by color intensity and spot pattern. Pairs are monogamous substrate spawners. Conservation status is Least Concern.

Common questions

Related species

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