Not furry, but we like them anyway.

Jewel Cichlid

Hemichromis bimaculatus Gill, 1862

Also called Jewelfish, Rubricatochromis bimaculatus

SpeciesShort profile

From West Africa: widespread in coastal basins, with the core range from southern Guinea to central Liberia.1 2

At a glance the quick version

Length13.6 to 15 cm1 2

Sizesmall

Vivid jewel-like colours

Devoted parents to large broods

Hardy and easy to feed

2 3

Looks how to spot one

Medium-small, deep-bodied cichlid

A sturdy cichlid that turns a rich red, especially at breeding time, with dark spots along its body; males also show a blue net-like pattern on the tail fin.2 3

Coloursredblack spotsblue patterning on the male's tail fin2 3

Personality what they are like

Spirited and strongly territorial, especially when spawning; best for keepers with some cichlid experience.2 3

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Active and bold, patrolling and defending its patch of the tank.2

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Give a roomy tank with rockwork, caves and sturdy plants to break up sight lines.2 3

Home where they are happiest

Tropical water of about 21 to 28 C, pH roughly 6 to 7.8 and 4-18 dGH, in a tank of at least 100-120 cm length.2 1

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Omnivore that eats almost anything; feed quality pellets, live or frozen foods and some vegetable matter such as spirulina flakes.2

Company who they like around

Best kept as a single established pair, either alone or with robust, larger tankmates such as bigger tetras and Synodontis catfish.2 1

The story where it all began

Theodore Gill described the jewel cichlid in 1862. In 2022 true jewel cichlids were given their own genus, Rubricatochromis, and the hobby has long mixed up several similar red Hemichromis species.1 3

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
A third black spot near the tail base helps tell it apart from its look-alike H. lifalili.2
2
A pair can raise up to about 600 eggs, which hatch in roughly two days.2
3
Scientists also use it as a study animal for behaviour and physiology research.1
4
Its colours get even brighter at breeding time.2

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed January 2020)1
Taxonomy: Described by Gill in 1862 in Hemichromis; FishBase now lists it as Rubricatochromis bimaculatus after the 2022 genus split1
Taxonomy note: Jewel cichlids were moved into the new genus Rubricatochromis in 2022, though the split is still debated3

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Jewel Cichlid. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
Temperature checkevery day
Water changeAbout 25% of the waterevery week
Water testevery week
Glass cleanevery week
Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month

Start a free diary

Kribensis

African Butterfly Cichlid

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

FishBase: Rubricatochromis bimaculatus (jewelfish) fishbase.seused for distribution, size, water parameters, IUCN, current genus, research use
Seriously Fish: Hemichromis bimaculatus seriouslyfish.comused for size, water parameters, tank size, diet, behaviour, identification, breeding
Wikipedia: Hemichromis (jewel cichlids) en.wikipedia.orgused for taxonomy, colour, behaviour, trade naming

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.