Jewel cichlid
Hemichromis bimaculatus
Also known as two-spotted jewel cichlid
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–82°F
- 22–28°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 5.9 in
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 30 gal
- 115 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- West Africa
Overview
This is an aggressive fish, especially around breeding, so plan for a pair in their own tank or a setup with tough, similarly sized tankmates and lots of broken sightlines. Allow at least 115 liters. They use the middle and lower water and will claim and defend a territory. Feed a quality cichlid pellet plus frozen or live bloodworms and brine shrimp. A bonded pair can be genuinely brutal toward anything that nears the nest.
In the wild
The jewel cichlid lives in rivers and streams across West Africa, in slow water over sand or mud with plenty of plant cover. The water there is warm and runs from slightly acidic to neutral. For a tank, give it sand, some rockwork and flat stones for spawning, and sturdy or potted plants since it likes to dig. A pH from 6 to 7.5 and temps in the mid 20s C work.
Good to know
Hemichromis bimaculatus is a cichlid (family Cichlidae) reaching about 15 cm. It is red-bodied and covered in light spangles, with dark spots along the side that give it its name. It is a substrate spawner: a pair lays eggs on a cleaned flat surface and both parents guard the eggs and fry hard. It is listed as Least Concern in the wild.
Did you know
When a pair spawns, both fish flush a deeper, more intense red and tend the eggs and fry together as a team, sometimes moving the babies around the tank to keep them safe.
Common questions
What size tank does a Jewel cichlid need?
A Jewel cichlid needs at least 30 gal (115 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Jewel cichlid need?
A Jewel cichlid is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big does a Jewel cichlid get?
An adult Jewel cichlid reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).
Related species
6.3 in (16 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Banded jewel cichlid
Hemichromis elongatus
6.3 in (16 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–79°F (23–26°C)Blood-red jewel cichlid
Hemichromis lifalili
3.9 in (10 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
9.8 in (25 cm)119 gal (450 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Banded jewelfish
Hemichromis fasciatus
9.8 in (25 cm) · 119 gal (450 L)
5.9 in (15 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Bumblebee cichlid
Pseudotropheus crabro
5.9 in (15 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)
5.9 in (15 cm)25 gal (95 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Convict cichlid
Amatitlania nigrofasciata
5.9 in (15 cm) · 25 gal (95 L)
5.9 in (15 cm)66 gal (250 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Eastern happy
Astatotilapia calliptera
5.9 in (15 cm) · 66 gal (250 L)