Jewel cichlid

Taxobox
name = Jewel cichlid

---

image_caption = "Hemichromis bimaculatus"
image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Perciformes
familia = Cichlidae
genus = "Hemichromis"

"Hemichromis" is a genus of fish from the family Cichlidae, known in the aquarium trade as Jewel cichlids. Jewel cichlids are native to west Africa and northeast Africa. Within west Africa "Hemichromis" species are found in creeks, streams, rivers and lakes with a variety of water qualities including brackish water lagoons.cite book|last=Hoedeman|first=J.|title=Naturalist's Guide to Freshwater Aquarium Fish|publisher=Elsevier|pages=1089–1091|year=1974|isbn=0-8069-3722-X] cite book|last=Monks|first=Neale (editor)|title=Brackish Water Fishes|journal=Tropical Fish Hobbyist|year=2006|isbn=0-7938-0564-3]

Maximum size reported for the different species of "Hemichromis" ranges from around 8 to 20 cm (3-8 inches) total length.cite web|url=http://www.fishbase.org/identification/specieslist.cfm?famcode=349&areacode=1|title=Family-Search Result, Africa-Inland Waters|author=Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors.|publisher=FishBase|accessdate=2007-08-10] Maximum sizes in aquaria tend to be slightly smaller than in the wild; "Hemichromis bimaculatus" for example occasionally reaching 20 cm in the wild but in home aquaria seldom more than 15 cm.

Many "Hemichromis" species are brightly coloured, though brighter body colouration is generally evident during breeding. Sexual dimorphism is limited, though male jewel cichlids are typically more brightly coloured and in some species have more pointed anal, ventral and dorsal fins. In some species, such as "Hemichromis cristatus", the females can have coloring as bright as the males. Like most cichlids, jewel cichlids have highly developed brood care. "Hemichromis" species typically form monogamous breeding pairs and the female spawns on a flat surface such as a leaf or stone. Both parents guard the eggs, and participate in fry raising.

pecies

*"Hemichromis angolensis" Steindachner, 1865
*"Hemichromis bimaculatus" Gill, 1862
*"Hemichromis cerasogaster" (Boulenger, 1899)
*"Hemichromis cristatus" Loiselle, 1979
*"Hemichromis elongatus" (Guichenot, 1861)
*"Hemichromis exsul" (Trewavas, 1933)
*"Hemichromis fasciatus" Peters, 1857
*"Hemichromis frempongi" Loiselle, 1979
*"Hemichromis guttatus" Günther, 1862
*"Hemichromis letourneuxi" Sauvage, 1880
*"Hemichromis lifalili" Loiselle, 1979
*"Hemichromis paynei" Loiselle, 1979
*"Hemichromis stellifer" Loiselle, 1979

Aquarium care

Jewel cichlids are neither suited to beginners, nor the usual community tank. Several young specimens may be kept in a spacious aquarium, with stones and wood for cover until a pair forms prior to breeding. Their innate aggression makes them good candidates for keeping in a monospecies aquarium.

Jewel cichlids are omnivorous and will eat both live foods and fish flakes.

ee also

*List of freshwater aquarium fish species

References

See also

*ITIS|ID=169806|taxon=Hemichromis bimaculatus|year=2005|date=June 22
*FishBase_species_alt|ID=2389|taxon=Hemichromis bimaculatus|year=2005|month=May