Jewel cichlid
Encyclopedia
Hemichromis is a genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...

 of fishes from the cichlid
Cichlid
Cichlids are fishes from the family Cichlidae in the order Perciformes. Cichlids are members of a group known as the Labroidei along with the wrasses , damselfish , and surfperches . This family is both large and diverse. At least 1,300 species have been scientifically described, making it one of...

 family, known in the aquarium trade as jewel cichlids. Jewel cichlids are native to Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...

. Within West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...

, Hemichromis species are found in creeks, streams, rivers and lakes with a variety of water qualities including brackish water lagoons.

Maximum size reported for the different species of Hemichromis ranges from around 8 to 30 cm (3.1 to 11.8 in) total length. Maximum sizes in aquaria tend to be slightly smaller than in the wild, Hemichromis bimaculatus for example occasionally reaching 20 centimetres (7.9 in) in the wild but in home aquaria seldom more than 15 centimetres (5.9 in).

Many Hemichromis species are brightly coloured, though brighter body colouration is generally evident during breeding. Sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism is a phenotypic difference between males and females of the same species. Examples of such differences include differences in morphology, ornamentation, and behavior.-Examples:-Ornamentation / coloration:...

 is limited, though male jewel cichlids are typically more brightly coloured and in some species have more pointed anal, ventral and dorsal fins
FINS
FINS is a network protocol used by Omron PLCs, over different physical networks like Ethernet, Controller Link, DeviceNet and RS-232C....

. 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.

Jewel cichlids can be attuned to community tanks. When introduced to a well established community tank, the aggressiveness of the cichlid is toned down because of the lack of space that can be occupied territorially. Beware though, the Jewel cichlid can be a nasty fin nipper if you don't keep it well fed. This comes from its instinct to feed on other fish in the wild, when food is scarcely available.

Species

  • 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.
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