African jewelfish

Red tilapia ( Hemichromis bimaculatus )

( Called Hemichromis bimaculatus or Red Cichlidae ) The Red cichlid is a cichlid from West Africa, which was discovered in 1862 by Theodore Nicholas Gill.

Occurrence and habitat

Hemichromis bimaculatus occurs in the coastal region of West Africa. From the Senegal River to the east Lake Turkana he inhabits forest and savanna waters and penetrates well through estuaries into brackish water. Flowing or free sea zones he does not inhabited. The water temperature is 24-26 ° C. In addition, the water is relatively soft (10-12 ° dH) and neutral to slightly alkaline (pH 7.0-7.5 ). The red cichlid inhabits also like cloudy, sedimented water.

Features

The length of the fish is about 15 cm.

Sexual behavior and breeding

During the spawning season the male is rather brownish red, while the female is bright red. The female lays about 500 eggs and sticks them on a carefully cleaned solid surface. After a three - to five-day incubation, hatch the young fish. Males and females alternately defend the area and take care of the brood. Also catfish are chased or attacked in the area care.

Attitude as an ornamental and farmed fish

The Red cichlid is kept as ornamental fish in Central Europe. The fish is, like many other cichlids, aggressive towards their own and other species, and therefore can not be kept without restrictions in the community tank. If there is enough space (about 200 liters for a pair ) and an adequate structuring of the basin is the socialization possible.