Hemichromis lifalili

Common Names:

Blood Red Jewel

Synonyms:

Family:

Cichlidae

Category:

Cichlids

Distribution:

Africa; West African

Main Ecosystem:

River; Rivers and streams

Temperament:

Territorial; Peaceful with most other cichlids, but becomes very territorial during breeding

Diet:

Ominvore; Ominvore

Care:

Though this fish comes from neutral ph and relatively softer waters, it can tollerate most all fresh water conditions. Though very much like its more common known cousin H. bimaculatus, it is not to be confused with them, as it has many differences. This fish is a thing of beauty with the males having a blood red coloring and turquois spots. The females reach the same size as the males, and while have rich colors, are less intense than the males. Some will have golden yellow coloration

pH:

6.5 - 7.5

Temperature:

22°C - 24°C

72°F - 75°F

Hardness:

Potential Size:

Water Region:

All; All

Activity:

Diurnal; Diurnal

Gender:

The sexes are the same size. The male shows more intense coloration, but the female is still very colorful.

Breeding:

These fish will breed very easily and are great parents, given the proper conditions for which they live in. Their broods consist of about 30 eggs, laid in a pot, cave, or crevis of rocks or driftwood. The eggs are adhesive and laid smoothly over the surface. The fry grow are somewhat small, and require very small first foods, but do grow rapidly.

Variants:

Comments:

A very easy fish to keep, and one of the more colorful of all fish. They are definitely the most colorful of the jewel group of fishes from Africa. Remember, this is not a Rift Lake cichlid, and does not do as well in the same water parameters that the Rift Lake cichlids require.

Main Colours:

Red

Markings:

Spots Small

Mouth:

Normal

Tail:

Not Specified

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Image Credit:

;ACIDRAIN

Submitted By:

ACIDRAIN

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