Care guide, husbandry, breeding, disease, sourcing, and tankmate intelligence on Jewel Cichlid - written by the Fast Aquatics editorial team and cross-verified against vendor records on the live marketplace.
Jewel Cichlid (Hemichromis bimaculatus) is a freshwater fish kept by aquarists for community + species-specific freshwater displays. Suitable for keepers with 6-12 months of experience and stable water chemistry.
Where Jewel Cichlid comes from
Jewel Cichlid (Hemichromis bimaculatus) is native to specific tropical and subtropical freshwater systems. The captive-bred Jewel Cichlid sold at most LFS comes from generations of farmed stock and is generally hardier and better-acclimated to tank conditions than wild-caught equivalents. Wild specimens are occasionally available for keepers chasing original-bloodline coloration or biotope-accurate stocking.
Jewel Cichlid tank size and setup
Jewel Cichlid requires a minimum of 30 gallons for healthy adults. The minimum is based on the species' adult size (5 inches), territorial range, and behavior pattern. Most Jewel Cichlid sold at small juvenile size will reach full adult size within 12-24 months and the system must be sized to the adult, not the juvenile.
For a Jewel Cichlid setup: tank sized for the adult footprint, HOB or canister filter rated 4-6x tank volume, dechlorinated water, appropriate temperature heater, and stocking-appropriate hardscape and plants.
Use dechlorinator on every water change. Test parameters weekly during cycling, biweekly once stable. Stable consistency beats sliding-scale "ideal" parameters.
What Jewel Cichlid eats
Jewel Cichlid is a carnivore. Eats meaty foods - frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and quality carnivore pellets. Live food (PE Mysis, live brine, live blackworms) triggers feeding response in stressed or new arrivals. Feed 2-3 times weekly for adults; daily for growing juveniles. Feed Jewel Cichlid appropriately for its size + activity level. Overfeeding is the #1 cause of water-quality crashes in tanks of all sizes.
Jewel Cichlid tankmates and compatibility
Jewel Cichlid works in community tanks with peaceful species in similar size class. Adult-size matters more than purchase-size when planning stocking. Avoid mixing aggressive with passive species.
Browse care guides for tankmate-compatibility tables for Jewel Cichlid and similar species.
Jewel Cichlid adult size and lifespan
Jewel Cichlid reaches 5 inches at adulthood with a captive lifespan of 5-10 years with proper care. Most freshwater species live 3-10 years; larger species (oscars, plecos, knifefish) reach 10-20+ years.
Can you breed Jewel Cichlid?
Jewel Cichlid can be bred in dedicated breeding tanks with appropriate setup and water-chemistry triggers. Most cichlids are substrate or cave spawners; provide flat surface or cave, condition the pair with high-protein food, and trigger spawning with a 25% cool water change.
Common Jewel Cichlid diseases and problems
Jewel Cichlid is susceptible to standard freshwater diseases (ich, columnaris, fin rot, bacterial infections). Quarantine new Jewel Cichlid for 4 weeks before adding to your display tank. Treat fish in a separate hospital tank to avoid affecting plants and inverts. Most disease outbreaks trace back to poor water quality, chronic stress, or skipped quarantine.
Where to buy Jewel Cichlid online
Jewel Cichlid is sold at LFS (local fish stores), online retailers, and direct from breeders/wholesalers. Pricing varies widely by source, size, and quality:
Browse live Jewel Cichlid from vetted Fast Aquatics vendors with carrier-tracked overnight shipping (FedEx Priority + UPS Next Day), climate-aware hold logic, and a 4-hour DOA window with photo-evidence claims. Captive-bred or aquacultured specimens cost more upfront but arrive healthier and integrate faster.
Jewel Cichlid FAQ
How big does Jewel Cichlid get?
5 inches at adulthood within 12-24 months.
How long does Jewel Cichlid live?
5-10 years with proper care.
What is the minimum tank/pond size?
30 gallons, with larger systems strongly recommended.
Is Jewel Cichlid hard to keep?
Jewel Cichlid is rated intermediate difficulty.
What does Jewel Cichlid eat?
Jewel Cichlid is a carnivore; appropriate diet matches its natural feeding pattern.
Jewel Cichlid taxonomy and care recommendations cross-checked against the following authoritative references and our internal vendor + breeder database.