Blue Jewel Cichlid

The Jewel cichlid is a colorful and unusual freshwater fish that does not receive enough attention from the aquarist community.

Even though they're fairly well-liked we believe they are still underappreciated!

Their hostility is the fundamental reason behind this. These suckers may be dangerous in the right (or wrong) circumstances! While this is something to be aware of, it should not deter you from pursuing this species. If you have some experience and wish to keep a beautiful and fascinating fish, the Jewel cichlid is an excellent choice.

The Jewel cichlid (scientific name: Hemichromis bimaculatus) is a well-known cichlid. These fish are predominantly found in West Africa, but they can also be found further east. The African Jewelfish is another frequent name for them.

They spend the majority of their time in freshwater bodies smaller than rivers, streams, and lakes (among others). This is important to understand because this is the type of habitat you'll be attempting to imitate while setting up their aquarium.

Their longevity is impacted by the quality of care and environment they are given (just like any other fish). What distinguishes them is the significance they place on regulating their aggression.

Jewel cichlids, on the other hand, are significantly more likely to get into fights and altercations in their tank. Aside from the obvious health problems that regular battles might entail, this also puts them under stress.

Constant stress can dramatically reduce the longevity of your red Jewel cichlid, which is unjust. We'll go over the exact care rules to follow later, but it's important to note the impact this can have on their longevity.

II. You would love the fish because…

The stunning beauty of Jewel cichlids cannot be disputed, they swim near the aquarium's bottom.

They come in a variety of vibrant colors, but the red Jewel cichlid is by far the most popular. The body of this fish is bright red/orange with colorful dots all over it. These patches are usually light bluish-green and cover the entire body. Their fins are also the same colors, however, they are more striped.

Another common color variation is a dark blue or turquoise body with the same bright blueish-green spots. They aren't as popular as the red-bodied fish, but you'll see them very frequently.

Jewel cichlids have thin and pointed bodies. Their dorsal fin begins around one-third of the way down their body and ends just before their caudal fin. Their anal fins are shallow and trim, and they reach the same depth as their dorsal fin.

Their head slants upward from their mouth and then curls into the beginning of their back with a tiny hump. When Jewel cichlid fish are young, this hump is usually more noticeable.

III. Is this fish species peaceful or hostile?

These cichlids are hostile.

IV. Species compatibility

Clown Loaches, Giant Danios, Plecos, Electric Blue Acaras, Redtail Sharks, Synodontis Catfish Rainbowfish, Leopard Bushfish.

V. How to feed this species?

Bloodworms, white worms, tubifex, and frozen newborn brine shrimp are excellent live feeds for jewel cichlids. Limit the availability of live foods to once each week.