Jewel Cichlid (Hemichromis bimaculatus). This is my favourite photograph of my fish batch! I prefer the composiition of this head-on shot.
Hemichromis is a genus of fish from the family Cichlidae, known in the aquarium trade as Jewel cichlids. Jewel cichlids are native to west Africa and northeast 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 around 8 to 25 cm (3-10 inches) total length. Maximum sizes in aquaria tend to be slightly smaller than in the wild; Hemichromis bimaculatus for example occasionally reaching 25 cm in the wild but in home aquaria seldom more than 15 cm.
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. 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.
