{"product_id":"red-forest-jewel-cichlid-hemichromis-sp","title":"Red Forest Jewel Cichlid | Hemichromis lifalili","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Red Forest Jewel is pure West African fire — a blaze of ruby red sprinkled with shimmering blue-green spangles across the body and fins. Colourful, hardy and full of character, it stays a manageable 8–10cm but becomes genuinely territorial when spawning, so tankmates need planning. A rewarding cichlid for keepers who understand its feisty streak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHemichromis lifalili comes from the forest streams and rivers of the Congo basin in Central-West Africa, living in warm, soft to neutral water among roots, leaf litter and quiet margins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn intensely coloured cichlid: a deep red to blood-red body, brightest in breeding condition, studded with iridescent blue-green spots that catch the light. Both sexes are colourful, though colour peaks around spawning. It reaches around 8–10cm, males slightly larger than females.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardy and easy to keep, but be candid — jewel cichlids are semi-aggressive and become downright territorial and combative when breeding, digging pits and driving off anything nearby. Outside of breeding they are more tolerant. Best kept as a pair in their own tank or with robust tankmates in a large aquarium with plenty of cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA carnivore-leaning omnivore. Feed a quality cichlid pellet or flake staple with regular frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and mysis to keep colour and condition strong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide soft to neutral, warm water in a tank with rockwork, driftwood, upturned pots and planting to create territories and sightline breaks. Robust plants are best, as they dig when breeding. Hardy and undemanding on water chemistry, but give it space to reduce aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn open substrate spawner and devoted biparental parent. A pair cleans a flat rock, lays a large clutch of eggs and guards the fry intensely — one of the easiest cichlids to breed, but expect the pair to dominate the tank while they do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHemichromis lifalili\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed Forest Jewel Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral-West Africa (Congo basin)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 8–10cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (very territorial when breeding)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 litres (pair)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (mainly carnivorous)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–15 dGH (soft to neutral)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKeepers wanting a colourful, characterful cichlid pair\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMostly — but digs and disturbs plants when breeding\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOutside breeding, robust West African tankmates such as larger tetras, Synodontis catfish and other similarly sized, sturdy fish in a spacious tank. A breeding pair is best kept alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall, timid or slow fish that will be bullied, long-finned species, and other territorial cichlids in cramped quarters. Expect trouble if space and cover are lacking during spawning.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232783745315,"sku":null,"price":10.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232783778083,"sku":"AA1375","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Red_Forest_Jewel_Cichlid_e4055190-98f7-438a-9412-98a316b320a1.jpg?v=1781446588","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/red-forest-jewel-cichlid-hemichromis-sp","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}