Latin name

Hemichromis bimaculatus

Other name

Jewel cichlid or jewelfish.

Identification

The body of the African jewelfish is elongated and tall, the sides are flat.

Features of fish fins

The dorsal fin of this species is long and runs almost all the way down the back to the caudal fin. The caudal fin is rounded. The anal fin, like the dorsal fin, is pointed.

Fish colouring

The coloration of the African jewelfish is red with small blue spots resembling jewels and three dark spots on the sides, the first on the back of the head, the second in the middle of the body, and the third at the base of the tail. 

Distribution

This species is native to tropical Africa (Nile, Niger and Congo river basins).

Habitat

These fish live in rivers, streams, and canals, especially in forested areas where vegetation overhangs the surface of the water.

Size

These fish grow up to 15 cm.

Behavior

At the front of the school, one of the parents will always move slowly in a zigzag pattern, and the juveniles will follow unwaveringly. When the leader gets tired and changes the zigzag to a straight line, the second adult fish becomes the leader of the group and continues zigzagging forward: this is the "follow me" signal, and the juveniles understand it immediately.

Food and feeding habits

These fish are omnivorous. They eat insects, crustaceans and caridina. They can also eat some plants such as algae and other weeds, as well as garbage. They have also been known to eat their own young, practicing filial cannibalism.

Reproduction

When the fish are ready to breed, the females turn a dark red color to let the male know. The male and female move closer together, or interlock their jaws, and the male releases sperm onto the eggs. The female then lays the eggs on a flat surface. The female will defend her eggs and kill anything in the vicinity. After a few days, the fry will hatch from the eggs and the female will continue to protect them. The female can breed every three weeks.

Fishing

This species is not commercially important.

Relationship with a person

These colorful fish are popular with hobbyists, but are not suitable for the average public aquarium due to their aggressive territorial behavior, especially during breeding.