Identity and search names

Common name
Jewel cichlid
Scientific name
Hemichromis and Rubricatochromis spp.
Other names
Hemichromis spp., Red jewel cichlid, Forest jewel cichlid, Rubricatochromis spp.
Category
Freshwater fish
Group
Medium cichlids
Origin
Freshwater systems of tropical Africa; exact distribution depends on the confirmed Hemichromis or Rubricatochromis species
Review outcome
GROUP GUIDE

Environment and housing

Environment
Freshwater
Care level
Advanced
Adult size
Common aquarium species are often about 10–15 cm, but confirmed species determines adult size
Expected lifespan
About 8–12 years
Minimum housing
At least 250 L for a compatible pair, with permanent separation capacity
Temperature
23–28 °C
pH
6.0–8.0
Hardness or minerals
Soft to moderately hard
Salinity
Freshwater
Lighting
Moderate with robust visual barriers and open spawning surfaces
Social structure
Keep a proven compatible pair or a single fish; do not force arbitrary adults together
Placement or swimming zone
All levels, especially lower and middle water
Temperament
Highly territorial, especially during courtship and brood care
Compatibility
Species-focused housing is safest; any tankmate must be robust, spaciously housed and immediately removable
Habitat structure
Large robust aquarium with powerful filtration, open spawning stones, wood or rock sight barriers and protected equipment

Feeding and nutrition

Diet
Aquatic invertebrates, small fish, plant material and quality omnivore-cichlid foods
Feeding frequency
Feed measured varied portions once or twice daily and avoid feeder fish

Breeding and reproduction

Breeding or reproduction
A compatible pair lays eggs on cleaned rock or another open surface and jointly guards eggs, larvae and free-swimming fry
Parental care
Strong biparental egg and fry care

System demands

Filtration
Use mature biological filtration sized for the full adult group and feeding load, with intake protection where juveniles, long fins or small fish are present. Provide steady turnover without preventing normal swimming or resting.
Aeration
Maintain strong surface gas exchange and stable dissolved oxygen. Increase aeration during warm weather, medication, transport recovery, breeding crowding or any ammonia or nitrite event.
Maintenance
Test ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, remove waste from feeding and shelter zones, and perform regular temperature- and chemistry-matched water changes before nitrate or dissolved organics accumulate.

Detailed husbandry

Identity scope
Group guide for fishes sold as jewel cichlids across Hemichromis and Rubricatochromis. Confirm species or documented captive line before applying size, range or compatibility claims.
Adult size and space
Common aquarium species are often about 10–15 cm, but confirmed species determines adult size. At least 250 L for a compatible pair, with permanent separation capacity. Plan around adult dimensions, activity, social structure, aggression and waste production rather than sale size.
Social structure
Keep a proven compatible pair or a single fish; do not force arbitrary adults together
Placement or swimming zone
Primary zone: All levels, especially lower and middle water. Keep that zone usable for movement, feeding and refuge.
Feeding ecology
Aquatic invertebrates, small fish, plant material and quality omnivore-cichlid foods
Feeding plan
Feed measured varied portions once or twice daily and avoid feeder fish
Water stability
Maintain 23–28 °C; pH 6.0–8.0; hardness/minerals: Soft to moderately hard. Stable oxygenation and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing one exact number.
Adult projected load
Plan capacity for Keep a proven compatible pair or a single fish; do not force arbitrary adults together at the documented adult size (Common aquarium species are often about 10–15 cm, but confirmed species determines adult size) in At least 250 L for a compatible pair, with permanent separation capacity. Include feeding intensity, territorial behaviour and breeding growth rather than counting sale-size juveniles.
Filtration
Use mature biological filtration sized for the full adult group and feeding load, with intake protection where juveniles, long fins or small fish are present. Provide steady turnover without preventing normal swimming or resting.
Aeration
Maintain strong surface gas exchange and stable dissolved oxygen. Increase aeration during warm weather, medication, transport recovery, breeding crowding or any ammonia or nitrite event.
Maintenance
Test ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, remove waste from feeding and shelter zones, and perform regular temperature- and chemistry-matched water changes before nitrate or dissolved organics accumulate.
Habitat structure
Large robust aquarium with powerful filtration, open spawning stones, wood or rock sight barriers and protected equipment
Compatibility plan
Species-focused housing is safest; any tankmate must be robust, spaciously housed and immediately removable
Breeding plan
A compatible pair lays eggs on cleaned rock or another open surface and jointly guards eggs, larvae and free-swimming fry Parental care: Strong biparental egg and fry care.
Quarantine
Quarantine new fish in a separate cycled aquarium with dedicated equipment. Match temperature and mineral chemistry gradually, confirm feeding and normal respiration, and never add transport water to the established aquarium.
Welfare checks
Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. “Jewel cichlid” is not a species-level identification. The colourful lineage is now commonly placed in Rubricatochromis, and breeding pairs can inflict severe injury.
Biosecurity and release
Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or live foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Confirm current Australian import conditions and South Australian possession, trade and movement rules before acquisition or transfer.
Main risk
‘Jewel cichlid’ is not a species-level identification. The colourful lineage includes multiple Rubricatochromis species, and breeding pairs can inflict severe injury.
Overridable warnings
‘Jewel cichlid’ is not a species-level identification. The colourful lineage includes multiple Rubricatochromis species, and breeding pairs can inflict severe injury. Any override must still preserve adult space, social welfare, stable chemistry, oxygen and filter capacity.

Welfare and risk

Welfare checks
Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. “Jewel cichlid” is not a species-level identification. The colourful lineage is now commonly placed in Rubricatochromis, and breeding pairs can inflict severe injury.
Main warning
‘Jewel cichlid’ is not a species-level identification. The colourful lineage includes multiple Rubricatochromis species, and breeding pairs can inflict severe injury.
Biosecurity
Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or live foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Confirm current Australian import conditions and South Australian possession, trade and movement rules before acquisition or transfer.

Sources

Source note

Current identity or scope, husbandry, system-demand, welfare and Australian biosecurity evidence checked; active retired-source links removed; all AquaNexus wording is original.

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