Jewel cichlid care guide
Also called: Jewelfish, African jewelfish, Red jewel cichlid, Blood-red jewel cichlid, Hemichromis bimaculatus, Hemichromis lifalili
Jewel cichlids are small African cichlids that glow deep red with blue spangles. They stay about 4 in (10 cm) but are fiercely territorial, so keep one bonded pair in at least 40 gallons (151 L) with only a few fast, sturdy tankmates.
Jewel cichlids need a tank of at least 40 gallons (151 L), and water at 24–27°C (75–81°F) with a pH of 6.5–7.5. They grow to about 10 cm (3.9 in) and are aggressive.
Plan a tank with jewel cichlidsSee all tank mates
Jewel cichlid quick facts
| Scientific name | Rubricatochromis spp. (formerly Hemichromis) |
|---|---|
| Family | Cichlidae |
| Origin | Rivers and streams of West and Central Africa (aquarium fish are captive-bred) |
| Adult size | 10 cm (3.9 in) |
| Minimum tank | 40 gallons (151 L), at least 120 cm (47 in) long |
| Temperature | 24–27°C (75–81°F) |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 4–15 dGH |
| Group size | Alone or as a pair |
| Temperament | Aggressive; males fight each other |
| Swims at | Middle |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Care level | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 5–7 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | No, eats shrimp |
| Safe with plants? | Mostly (nibbles soft plants) |
Tank setup
A pair needs at least 40 gallons (151 L) in a tank about 4 ft (120 cm) long. Use sand with caves, flowerpots, rocks and driftwood to break up sight lines. They dig, so tie hardy plants like Java fern and anubias to decor and add floating plants.
How many jewel cichlids in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits jewel cichlids is a 55 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Jewel cichlids (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | Too small |
| 29 gallon | Too small |
| 40 gallon | Too small |
| 55 gallon | Up to 12 |
| 75 gallon | Up to 17 |
| 125 gallon | Up to 28 |
Numbers are bioload limits only. Males fight, so keep one fish or one pair.
What you need for jewel cichlids
Sized for a 40 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits jewel cichlids. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 40 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 40 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 334 lb (151 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- Adjustable heater, 150 W (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 78 °F (25.5 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Hang-on-back filter rated 160–240 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Community tank: 4–6 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 75 lb of aquarium gravel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Smooth gravel suits most community fish. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 36 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for jewel cichlids
- Tropical fish pellets (opens Amazon in a new tab)A good staple for medium community fish.
- Caves and hides (opens Amazon in a new tab)Gives shy and territorial fish their own space.
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Water parameters
Keep it at 24–27°C (75–81°F), pH 6.5–7.5 and soft to medium-hard water (4–15 dGH). Use good filtration with gentle flow. Change about a third of the water each week to keep nitrate low.
Best tank mates for jewel cichlids
These popular species share jewel cichlids' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 14 good matches.
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Ramshorn snail
2 cm (0.8 in) · 21–27°C (70–81°F)
Malaysian trumpet snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 20–27°C (68–81°F)
Mystery snail
5 cm (2 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
Convict cichlid
12 cm (4.7 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Firemouth cichlid
13 cm (5.1 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Electric blue acara
15 cm (5.9 in) · 23–27°C (73–81°F)
Avoid keeping jewel cichlids with
- Bristlenose pleco: Jewel cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful bristlenose plecos.
- Bronze corydoras: Jewel cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful bronze corydoras.
- Cherry shrimp: Jewel cichlid eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
- Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Jewel cichlid 24–27°C (75–81°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
- Common pleco: Jewel cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful common plecos.
- Dwarf gourami: Jewel cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful dwarf gouramis.
Feeding
An omnivore that leans toward meaty food. Feed a quality cichlid pellet or flake with some spirulina as the staple. Add frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, mysis or mosquito larvae a few times a week. Live and frozen foods bring out the red color.
Behavior
Jewels can seem calm until they pair up, then they attack anything near their territory, including fish much bigger than themselves. Keep one pair or a single fish. Only fast, robust tankmates like larger African tetras or Synodontis catfish have a chance, and they may need rehoming once the pair breeds. Small fish and shrimp will be eaten.
Breeding
Monogamous substrate spawners that breed readily. Let a pair form from 5–6 juveniles, because a forced pair may fight to the death. The pair lays a few hundred eggs on a flat stone, and both parents guard the fry for about a month. Keep an eye on the female before spawning: a keen male can keep attacking her until she is badly hurt or dies.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Buy 5–6 young jewels and let a pair form. Rehome the extras before the pair turns on them.
- Females often turn the brightest red when ready to spawn, so color alone won't sex them.
- Expect tankmates to be chased hard during breeding. Have a backup tank ready.
- Attach plants to wood or rock, since jewels dig up rooted plants.
- Several red jewel species are sold under one name, so adult size can vary from 3 to 6 in (8–15 cm).
Frequently asked questions
Are jewel cichlids aggressive?
Yes. They are among the most aggressive small cichlids, especially when guarding eggs or fry. They will attack fish several times their size.
Can jewel cichlids live in a community tank?
Not in a peaceful community. They work only with fast, sturdy fish such as larger African tetras or Synodontis catfish in a roomy tank, and even those may need moving when the pair breeds.
How big do jewel cichlids get?
Most reach about 4 in (10 cm) in aquariums. Some species and large males grow to 5–6 in (12–15 cm).
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.