jewel chichlids

beetlebz

While looking for friends for my dempsey and Firemouth my LFS tried to sell me on the jewel chichlid. They are most certainly gorgeous but I declined as I knew nothing about them.

I looked them up online and while it appears they are indeed african cichlids, it would appear they have pretty general requirements... are they general community fish or african tank only?

rrcoolj

"african cichlid" is such a general term. There are litteraly thousands of species of african cichlids. When most people think african cichlids they think mbunas which is one type of cichlid in one region of one lake. African cichlids can be split into 2 general categories riverine and rift lake. The rift lake cichlids live in the 3 major lakes of tanganyika, malawi(mbunas), and victoria. The rest of the africans live in various rivers and streamsthroughout africa these are the riverine cichlids. Jewel cichlids are riverine cichlids im not sure where particulary but they like a very nutral PH and can be kept with other "community" fish somewhat but they can be aggressive especially while spawning. I wouldn't keep them with anything delicate. Think of them like Firemouth or convict cichlids as far as temperment. I would get them. Actually Central american cichlids like a very high ph between 7-8.

iamntbatman

Not a community fish at all, but not a rift lake fish either. They do well with mid-sized or even larger American cichlids. They only get about 4-5" but they can be pretty nasty little fish so they can hold their own in a tank with things like convicts, oscars, even stuff like Dempseys.

Great looking fish, too.

beetlebz

thats what i was wondering, if they were cichlids from africa or rift lake africans. I have a 110 with a royal pleco, dempsey and Firemouth, just looking for more colorful friends and my LFS always has them in stock. score! ill take pics of the one i bring home :)

rrcoolj

can't wait!

beetlebz

well, the elusive little guy is growing out in my 55 for now, but if he ever actually comes out ill get yalls pics. I actually think hes a young salvini, but who knows what his colors will show when he grows up. Also grabbed a gold flowerhorn (against my better judgement) from the same lfs for the same tank, whos super docile and amazingly colored... ill get on that pics thing :)

sericinda

I have my jewels with parrotfish, a blue colbalt zebra and a Severum...all get along just fine. Very pretty fish.