{"product_id":"blue-forest-jewel-hemichromis-lifalili","title":"Blue Forest Jewel | Hemichromis lifalili","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Blue Forest Jewel is a dazzling West African jewel cichlid, its deep red-to-orange body spangled with glittering blue-green sequins that catch the light like jewels. Hardy and easy to keep, it is nonetheless a feisty, territorial fish, so it is best thought of as a species-tank or specialist cichlid rather than a community fish. It reaches around 10 cm and colours up most intensely when a pair is in breeding condition.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eHemichromis lifalili comes from the warm forest streams, pools and river margins of the Congo basin in central Africa, among roots, wood and leaf litter in soft, slightly acidic water. A tank with driftwood, rockwork, caves and shaded cover recreates its home and gives it places to hold a territory. Firm or potted planting stands up best to its digging.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA stocky, richly coloured cichlid of blood-red to orange, overlaid with rows of iridescent blue-green spots across the body and fins and often a dark blotch on the flank. Colour intensifies dramatically when a pair spawns, blazing to a deep crimson. Males tend to be a little larger with more extended finnage.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBeautiful but combative, the jewel cichlid is territorial and becomes downright aggressive when breeding, when a pair will drive off almost anything nearby. It is not a good community fish and is not the best choice for a first cichlid, but it is very rewarding in a species tank or with robust, similarly sized fish that can stand their ground. Provide plenty of caves and broken sight lines.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA carnivore, the jewel takes quality cichlid pellets and flake along with frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and chopped prawn. A varied, meaty diet keeps its colour rich; feed moderately to avoid excess waste.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 100 L for a pair, with more space needed if kept with other fish. Keep temperature at 23–27 °C, pH 6.0–7.5 and soft to moderately hard water. It is hardy and adaptable but appreciates good filtration and stable conditions. Not reliably plant safe, as it digs, especially around a spawning site, so use hardy or potted plants.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Blue Forest Jewel is an open substrate- and cave-spawner and an exemplary parent. A bonded pair cleans a flat rock or pit, lays a large clutch of eggs and both parents fiercely guard the eggs and fry, herding the young around the tank. Warm, stable water and a quiet, well-structured tank encourage spawning; the fry take newly hatched brine shrimp and fine foods.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHemichromis lifalili\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlue Forest Jewel (Blood-Red Jewel Cichlid)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCongo basin, central Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 10 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–7 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAggressive, especially when breeding\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 L for a pair\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e130 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore: cichlid pellets, flake, frozen and live bloodworm, brine shrimp, prawn\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e23–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to moderately hard, around 5–15 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpecies tanks and robust cichlid setups\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo (digs, especially when breeding)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBest kept as a single pair in a species tank. If mixed, choose robust, similarly sized fish that can hold their own, such as larger tetras and barbs, in a big, well-structured tank with plenty of cover.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with small, timid or slow fish, long-finned species, and other territorial cichlids in cramped quarters. Do not treat this as a peaceful community fish, especially once it pairs and spawns.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232783417635,"sku":"AA2044","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232783450403,"sku":null,"price":29.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Blue_Forest_Jewel_Rubricatochromis_lifalili_73b0c7cb-378b-44b5-99db-f03a8e232f79.jpg?v=1781446642","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/blue-forest-jewel-hemichromis-lifalili","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}