Blood-Red Jewel Cichlid Care Guide
Hemichromis lifalili is a small red jewel cichlid from the Congo basin, reaching about 10 cm and becoming very aggressive when spawning.
Overview
Hemichromis lifalili is a red jewel cichlid described by Loiselle in 1979. FishBase gives a standard length of about 8.2 cm, and Seriously Fish a maximum of around 10 cm. Mature fish are deep red with iridescent blue spotting. It is distinguished from H. bimaculatus by having two black flank spots. Recent taxonomy places the species in the genus Rubricatochromis; the name Hemichromis lifalili remains in widespread aquarium use.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Hemichromis
- Scientific name: Hemichromis lifalili
- Authority: Loiselle, 1979
- Note: recently reclassified under the genus Rubricatochromis
Habitat
The species occurs in the Congo River basin (excluding the Shaba/Katanga region and the Kasai), in the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is a freshwater, benthopelagic fish of forested and savannah-like areas with gallery forest, absent from rapids and swampy zones.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
- Best kept as a single bonded pair with cover
Diet
Hemichromis lifalili is primarily carnivorous and accepts most foods. Seriously Fish notes that live foods enhance its colour and that some vegetable matter, such as spirulina or blanched greens, is also taken.
Compatibility
Outside breeding the fish is relatively placid but becomes very aggressive when spawning, so it is not recommended for general community tanks. Seriously Fish suggests larger characins such as Congo tetras, Synodontis, loricariids and some other African cichlids as tankmates. It is best maintained as a bonded pair; introducing established adults often leads to aggression.
Breeding
Breeding is comparatively straightforward. The fish is a monogamous substrate spawner that lays on flat rocks or in flowerpots. Seriously Fish reports clutches of up to about 400 eggs that hatch in roughly 48 hours, with strong biparental brood care for about a month.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2009).