Dwarf Jewel Cichlid Hemichromis Bimaculatus 4cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Jewel Cichlid is one of the most colourful freshwater fish, with a body that flushes brilliant red spangled with iridescent blue spots, most intensely at breeding time. It is bold, hardy and a superb parent, but has a fierce reputation. Widespread in West African streams, it suits keepers of robust cichlid or species tanks rather than peaceful communities.
- Adult Size: Around 12–15 cm (5–6 in); males larger
- Lifespan: 5–8 years
Origin
- Native to: West Africa, southern Guinea to Liberia
- Habitat: Small streams and canals with overhanging vegetation
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous
- Preferred Foods: Cichlid pellets, bloodworm, brine shrimp, earthworm, spirulina flake, blanched spinach
- Feeding Habits: Feed once or twice daily; live and frozen foods intensify red colour
Tank Mates
- Best with: Robust, larger tetras, Synodontis, similar West African cichlids
- Avoid: Small, slow or timid fish; shrimp; other jewel pairs in small tanks
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Aggressive, especially when breeding
- Territoriality: Highly territorial; a pair claims most of a small tank
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Challenges: Managing aggression; pairing adults can end badly
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft to moderately hard
- Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F)
- pH: 6.0–7.8
- Hardness: 4–18 dGH
- Flow: Moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 110 litres for a pair; much larger for tank mates
Final Notes
Buy a group of juveniles and let a pair form, then rehome the rest: forcing two adults together often ends in a fight. Spawning is easy on a flat rock or flowerpot in slightly acidic water, with both parents guarding hundreds of fry for weeks, and they will drive everything else away meanwhile. Sexing is difficult; males develop pointed fins and blue-netted tails. Rockwork and sturdy plants help. Spectacular in the right tank.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.