Jewel Cichlid (Hemichromis bimaculatus) — Care Guide & Buy Online
The Jewel Cichlid, scientific name Hemichromis bimaculatus, is a West African freshwater cichlid also called the African Jewel Fish or Two-Spot Jewel Cichlid. It is one of the most vividly coloured cichlids in the hobby — the body is brilliant red to orange-red, covered in rows of iridescent blue-green spots across the flanks, head, and fins. Colouration intensifies dramatically during breeding, when both sexes become even more vivid. Hemichromis bimaculatus reaches 12–15 cm, requires a minimum 40-gallon (150-litre) tank, water temperature of 24–28 °C, and pH 6.5–7.5. It is monogamous, forms strong pair bonds, and practises biparental brood care — one of the most behaviorally fascinating cichlids available to hobbyists. FishyKart delivers live Jewel Cichlids across India with a live arrival guarantee.
Tank Requirements
A mated pair of Jewel Cichlids requires a minimum of 150 litres (40 US gallons); a community setup with additional fish needs 200+ litres to accommodate the pair's breeding territory. Tank length is more important than height — provide at least 90 cm of floor space.
- Temperature: 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) — stable temperature is more important than the exact value; sudden drops trigger disease
- pH: 6.5–7.5; tolerates up to 7.8 in moderately hard tap water
- Hardness: 5–19 dGH — one of the most parameter-tolerant African cichlids, adaptable to most Indian tap water conditions
- Filtration: Canister or HOB filter rated 4–6× tank volume per hour; Hemichromis produce moderate bioload — weekly filter media rinsing in old tank water recommended
- Substrate: Fine sand preferred — Jewel Cichlids dig actively, especially during breeding; fine sand is also softer on their barbels than gravel
- Décor: Flat stones and broad-leaved plants (Amazon Sword, Anubias) provide spawning surfaces; caves and driftwood create territory boundaries that reduce aggression between pairs
- Water changes: 20–25% weekly, keeping nitrates below 30 ppm; high nitrates suppress breeding behaviour and intensify aggression
Feeding
Hemichromis bimaculatus is an opportunistic omnivore in the wild, consuming insects, small crustaceans, worms, and plant matter from riverbed substrates. A varied diet is essential for maintaining the species' characteristic colour intensity and reproductive fitness.
- Staple: High-quality cichlid pellet or flake containing astaxanthin (a carotenoid pigment precursor that directly enhances red colouration) — feed once or twice daily
- Protein supplements (3×/week): Frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, chopped earthworms — live or frozen both accepted
- Vegetable component (1–2×/week): Blanched spinach, spirulina wafers, or zucchini — supports immune function and reduces long-term aggression
- Feeding quantity: Only what fish consume in 2–3 minutes; remove uneaten food immediately to prevent ammonia spikes in the spawning territory
- Avoid: Tubifex worms (high disease vector risk); feeder fish (thiaminase toxicity, parasite introduction risk)
Behaviour & Breeding
Jewel Cichlids are monogamous — pairs form strong, lasting bonds and defend a shared territory aggressively against all intruders. Outside the breeding period, a mated pair can coexist with similarly-sized robust fish in a large tank (200+ litres). During spawning, the pair's aggression escalates significantly and all other tank inhabitants should be removed or separated.
Breeding Hemichromis bimaculatus:
- Spawning trigger: Raise temperature to 27–28 °C and perform a 30% water change with slightly cooler water — replicates the onset of the rainy season in the fish's native habitat
- Egg laying: Eggs are deposited on a cleaned flat stone, broad leaf, or the tank floor in a compact cluster; a single spawn produces 200–500 eggs
- Parental care: Both parents are exceptional — the male guards the territory perimeter while the female fans and tends the eggs; unfertilised eggs are removed within hours; fry are moved to pre-dug pits in the substrate
- Incubation: 48–72 hours at 27 °C; fry become free-swimming 5–7 days after hatching
- Fry food: Baby brine shrimp, micro-worms, and finely crushed flake from day one; fry grow rapidly under parental care
Tank Mates
Jewel Cichlids are moderately aggressive outside breeding periods and highly aggressive when spawning. Tank mate selection must account for both phases.
- Compatible outside breeding: Medium-sized robust fish of similar size (10+ cm) — other West African cichlids (Kribensis Pelvicachromis pulcher), large Corydoras (C. sterbai, C. duplicareus), robust tetras (Congo Tetra Phenacogrammus interruptus), Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus sp.)
- Avoid permanently: Small fish under 5 cm (will be eaten or harassed), slow-moving long-finned fish (Betta, fancy Guppy), other territorial cichlids of the same size
- During breeding: Remove all tank mates or use a tank divider — the pair will attack and potentially kill any fish that approaches their spawning site, regardless of size
- Pair housing: Two males together will fight severely; always keep one male per tank
Common Health Issues
- Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis): White spot disease triggered by temperature drops below 22 °C or stress during transport. Treatment: raise temperature to 29–30 °C; add aquarium salt (1 tsp/10L); treat with malachite green or formalin-based medication for 7 days.
- Hole-in-the-Head Disease (HITH): Small pits forming around the lateral line and head — caused by Hexamita sp. parasites, compounded by chronic nitrate exposure above 40 ppm and vitamin C/D deficiency. Treatment: Metronidazole (400 mg/10L) combined with water quality correction and dietary improvement.
- Fin Rot (Aeromonas / Pseudomonas spp.): Fraying and darkening of fin margins caused by bacterial infection, usually secondary to aggression wounds or poor water quality. Correct water parameters first; treat with API Furan-2 or equivalent if tissue recession is active.
- Bloat: Abdominal swelling from internal bacterial infection or constipation. Fast fish for 3 days; offer high-fibre foods (daphnia, blanched peas); treat with Metronidazole if swelling persists beyond 5 days.
Why Buy from FishyKart?
FishyKart stocks Hemichromis bimaculatus — the African Jewel Cichlid — sourced from established breeders producing fish with strong, stable red colouration rather than the washed-out specimens common in bulk wholesale. All fish are quarantined and health-screened for a minimum of 7 days before dispatch. We ship across India in oxygen-sealed, insulated packaging with a live arrival guarantee. Jewel Cichlids available as juveniles (3–5 cm), sub-adults (7–10 cm), and proven breeding pairs — contact us for current stock and pricing.