Star jewel cichlid

Rubricatochromis stellifer

Also known as Hemichromis stellifer, Nioki jewel

FreshwaterFish

Star jewel cichlid (Rubricatochromis stellifer) — The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature: 73–81°F (23–27°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 4.7 in (12 cm)
Minimum tank: 53 gal (200 L)
Temperament: Aggressive
Social behavior: Solitary
Tankmates: Tankmates with caution
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Central Congo basin
Family: Cichlidae

Overview

The star jewel is a jewel cichlid, kept as a single bonded pair because it turns intensely territorial, especially when spawning. It will hold a Congo tank against much larger fish, so choose only robust tankmates or keep the pair on its own. It spends its time near the bottom around cover. Provide flat stones and caves for spawning, roots, and some planting. Feed a varied diet of frozen and prepared foods. A tank of around 200 liters suits a pair, with more space easing its temper.

In the wild

Rubricatochromis stellifer comes from backwaters and forest streams of the central Congo basin. The water is warm and runs from soft and acidic to about neutral. Recreate it with a dark floor, roots, leaf litter, and cover, in warm water at pH 6.0-7.5 and 23-27 C.

Good to know

Rubricatochromis stellifer, recently moved out of Hemichromis into the new genus of red jewel cichlids, reaches around 10 to 12 centimeters. The name stellifer means star-bearer, for the turquoise spangling scattered over its wine-red body. It is a pair-bonding substrate spawner with shared brood care, and breeding is of medium difficulty.

Did you know

Stellifer means star-bearing. Each flank is dusted with iridescent blue-green flecks scattered across a deep wine-red ground, so a bonded, breeding pair looks like a patch of night sky laid over red.