Jewel cichlid
Rubricatochromis bimaculatus (syn. Hemichromis bimaculatus)
A blazing red West African cichlid that holds its territory year-round and turns extremely aggressive when spawning; best kept as a pair on its own.
Key facts
- Body length
- 5.9 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 34 gallons
- Group
- 2+
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Care level
- 3 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Cichlid pellets, frozen bloodworm, mysis and brine shrimp
- Origin
- West Africa
- Hardier than45%
- Bigger than73%
- Calmer than14%
Water: their range vs yours
Jewel cichlid tank mates
- AngelfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blood parrot cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Common plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Leopard sailfin plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- SeverumGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Three spot gouramiGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Assassin snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Red swamp crayfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Redclaw crayfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Elephantnose fishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Figure eight pufferGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Kissing gouramiGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaJewel cichlid can eat young or small Betta; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- Blue dolphin cichlidTwo territorial bottom-dwellers: need ≥ 9300 cm² of floor, tank has 5612 cm².Risky
- Bristlenose plecoJewel cichlid (aggressive) will bully the peaceful Bristlenose pleco.Risky
- Bronze coryJewel cichlid can eat young or small Bronze cory; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Jewel cichlid.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Jewel cichlid.Risky
- Neon tetraJewel cichlid can eat Neon tetra: prey body depth 0.7 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- Harlequin rasboraJewel cichlid can eat Harlequin rasbora: prey body depth 1.1 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- Fancy guppyJewel cichlid can eat Fancy guppy: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- Panda corydorasJewel cichlid can eat Panda corydoras: prey body depth 2.4 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- OtocinclusJewel cichlid can eat Otocinclus: prey body depth 0.7 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- Cherry shrimpJewel cichlid can eat Cherry shrimp: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for jewel cichlids: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 15 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 50.63 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 10.53 BU
- Min. water
- 108 L net
- Min. footprint
- 120 × 30 cm per pair
- Group
- 2+ (best 2)
- Swims in
- bottom, middle
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- —
Care notes
Jewel cichlids grow to about 6 inches and colour up bright red with dark spots. They are permanently territorial, and pairs are best formed by raising five or six young fish together.
A pair needs a 4-foot tank of 29 gallons or more and will dig up all but tough or potted plants. They are not a community fish: shrimp will be eaten, and a male can batter a female that is not ready to spawn.
Questions
What size tank does a jewel cichlid need?
At least 34 gallons (108 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 5.9 inches without fins.
How many jewel cichlids should be kept together?
Keep at least 2, ideally 2 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do jewel cichlids need?
72–82 °F, pH 6–7.8 and 4–18 dGH. Jewel cichlids come from West Africa.
How long do jewel cichlids live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with jewel cichlids?
Good tank mates include Angelfish, Blood parrot cichlid, Common pleco, Leopard sailfin pleco and Severum. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.