General information – The jewel cichlid characterized by two black

spots on each side of the body. There is a blue variety and a red variety

of this species. The jewel cichlid considers being a beginner fish. It is

often confused for its cousin Hemichromis lifalili. Jewel cichlids are very

hardy fish that can adept to most surroundings as long as there are

caves and a few flats rocks present. During breeding time the

Hemichromis bimaculatus become so flighty that they will attack the

fingers of the fish keeper who will dare to put its hand in the tank.

According to some people the Jewel cichlid is another one of all those

cichlids that has gotten a bad reputation for being aggressive without

actually deserving it. On the other hand many people say that the Jewel

cichlid is very aggressive and territorial. Males are more colorful than

females, slightly larger than females and females are rounder.        

Common Name - Jewel fish, African Jewelfish, Two Spotted Jewel

Fish, Green Jewel, and blue Jewel 

Scientific Name - Hemichromis bimaculatus 

Family –Cichlidae  

Origin - Central and West Africa, 

Size – 14cm (5.5 inches) 

First discovered - Loiselle 1979 

photo by: Killer

Behavior – Aggressive  

Maintenance and care - The jewel cichlid requires 30 gallons tank size. This fish can be kept with

other African cichlids in a cichlid tank decorate with rocks formation and plenty of hiding spots.

Jewel cichlids likes to dig which disturbs plants and can often destroy plants if they are kept in planted

aquariums. Plants like Anubias species and Java fern do well without any cover for their roots as these

are hardy plants that shouldn’t be planted in the bottom substrate but rather attached to rocks and pieces

of bogwood. Use strong filtration in its tank.  

Water Parameters - Temperature: 72F-82F (22C-28C), PH: 6-8, dH: 4-18 

Breeding - Excellent parents, they guard their fry with fierce determination, don't put your hand in the tank

when they are guarding fry.  The most difficult part in breeding the Jewel Cichlid is finding a compatible pair.

After pair created it will be easy task. The female will lay the eggs on a flat surface, the female lays up to

500 eggs which are immediately fertilized by the male. After 2 to 4 days, the eggs hatch and the parents

will move them to another location for another couple of days until the babies are swimming.

Fry can feed with fry foods, crushed flake foods and baby brine shrimp.