Jewel Cichlid

''Hemichromis'' is a genus of fishes from the cichlid family, known in the aquarium trade as jewel cichlids. Jewel cichlids are native to Africa. Within West Africa, ''Hemichromis'' species are found in creeks, streams, rivers and lakes with a variety of water qualities including brackish water lagoons.

Maximum size reported for the different species of ''Hemichromis'' ranges from in total length. Maximum sizes in aquaria tend to be slightly smaller than in the wild.

Many ''Hemichromis'' species are brightly coloured, though brighter body colouration is generally evident during breeding. Sexual dimorphism is limited, though male jewel cichlids are typically more brightly coloured and in some species have more pointed anal, ventral and dorsal fins. In some species, such as ''Hemichromis cristatus'', the females can have coloring as bright as the males. Like most cichlids, jewel cichlids have highly developed brood care. ''Hemichromis'' species typically form monogamous breeding pairs and the female spawns on a flat surface such as a leaf or stone. Both parents guard the eggs, and participate in fry raising.

Taxonomy

This genus consists of two distinct groups that possibly should be moved into separate genera. The first group, the so-called five-spotted cichlids (including ''H. elongatus'', ''H. faciatus'' and ''H. frempongi''), would remain in the genus ''Hemichromis'', while the rest, the true jewel cichlids, would be moved to their own genus.

The species level taxonomy of this genus is not fully resolved. Although some of the localized species are well-defined, this is not the case for all the more widespread species and there are several distinct color forms of unclear taxonomic status. For example, ''H. faciatus'' of the Nile basin and those in West Africa may belong to separate species, but ''H. frempongi'' of Lake Bosumtwi might be a synonym of ''H. fasciatus''. ''H. elongatus'' of the Congo River basin and upper Zambezi may represent a species that is distinct from ''H. faciatus'' elsewhere, and "dwarf" populations in lakes Barombi Koto and Mboandong may also be distinct. In the Nile delta, there appear to be two morphologically distinct populations that traditionally have been included in, but might be separate from, ''H. letourneuxi'' elsewhere in the Nile system. A comprehensive study of the genus also points to the existence of two undescribed species of jewel cichlids in the Guinea region. ''H. saharae'' was generally considered a synonym of ''H. letourneuxi'' until 2014 where a genetic study confirmed its distinction, although some have opted to retain the two as a single species. The taxonomic confusion in this genus has been further complicated by fish in the aquarium trade, where there have been frequent misidentification, hybridization between species and selective breeding. For example, the introduced population in Florida, which is based on aquarium fish, was identified as ''H. bimaculatus'' up until the 1990s, but likely are ''H. letourneuxi'' or hybrids. A similar pattern can be seen in introduced populations elsewhere that traditionally were identified as ''H. bimaculatus'', but likely are other species, especially ''H. letourneuxi''.

Species

There are currently 13 recognized species in this genus:Bitja-Nyom, Arnold Roger, et al. "A systematic revision of the five-spotted Hemichromis complex (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) from West Africa and Lower Guinea, with the description of a new species from Cameroon." ''Hydrobiologia'' (2021): 1-25.

* '' Hemichromis angolensis'' Steindachner, 1865
* '' Hemichromis bimaculatus'' T. N. Gill, 1862 (Jewelfish)
*'' Hemichromis camerounensis''
*'' Hemichromis cerasogaster'' (Boulenger, 1899)
* '' Hemichromis elongatus'' ( Guichenot, 1861) (Banded jewel cichlid)
* '' Hemichromis exsul'' ( Trewavas, 1933) (Turkana jewel cichlid)
* ''Hemichromis fasciatus'' W. K. H. Peters, 1857 (Banded jewelfish, five-spot cichlid)
* '' Hemichromis frempongi'' Loiselle, 1979
* '' Hemichromis guttatus'' Günther, 1862
* ''Hemichromis letourneuxi'' Sauvage, 1880
* ''Hemichromis lifalili'' Loiselle, 1979
* '' Hemichromis saharae'' Sauvage, 1880
* '' Hemichromis stellifer'' Loiselle, 1979

Aquarium care

Jewel cichlids are neither suited to beginners, nor the usual community tank. Several young specimens may be kept in a spacious aquarium, with stones and wood for cover until a pair forms prior to breeding. Their innate aggression makes them good candidates for keeping in a monospecies aquarium, however this depends on a number of factors similar to all tropical cichlid fish; swimming and territory space, other aquatic inhabitants, diet and feeding frequency and tank layout.

Jewel cichlids are omnivorous and will eat both live foods and fish flakes.

See also

*List of freshwater aquarium fish species

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q135592

Hemichromini
Hemichromis
Fishkeeping
Taxa named by Wilhelm Peters

ru:Хемихромис-красавец