All fish / Cichlidae

Two-spot Jewel Cichlid

Rubricatochromis bimaculatus

Also known as jewel cichlid, jewelfish, two spot jewel cichlid, hemichromis bimaculatus, red jewel cichlid, jewel fish, ジュエル・シクリッド, 双斑伴丽鱼, 红宝石鱼

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A compact, robust cichlid with an olive to brownish body, a dark spot mid-flank and on the gill cover, and scattered iridescent blue-green spangles that intensify when breeding, when much of the fish turns deep red. It is kept for its strong colour and lively, watchable parental behaviour. Much of the trade stock sold as jewel cichlids is actually other Hemichromis or Rubricatochromis species.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 8

Smallest tank

100 litres

Keep as

One pair or a single fish

Diet

Carnivore: quality pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, mysis and small invertebrates

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

North Africa: Nile basin, Egypt, Sudan, Chad and coastal Libya to Tunisia oases

Breeding

Pairs spawn on a cleaned flat stone and both parents guard the eggs and free-swimming fry fiercely. Breeding is easy once a compatible pair forms, but the female can be attacked if not ready, so a pair bonded from a juvenile group is best.

Good to know

Very territorial and aggressive, especially when breeding, so tank mates must be robust or absent; it also digs and may uproot plants. Formerly Hemichromis bimaculatus, and often confused with Rubricatochromis guttatus, H. lifalili and related species in shops.