Breeding Habits and Temperament: like Pristella.
JEWEL FISH: HEMICHROMIS BIMACULATUS
(Africa)
average size
Color: Body bright scarlet blending to rich olive on back. Emerald dots (jewels) in irregular lines cover body and vertical fins. Frequently difficult to obtain mated pair.
Breeding Habits: Egg layers—eggs are deposited on smooth stone or flower pot, to which they adhere. During incubation (about 30 hours) one parent stands guard, constantly fanning to circulate water over eggs. Fry are unable to swim first three days so parents make hollow in sand where fry are placed and guarded. After fry can swim, they form school with parents in center. Remove parents when fry are about one-fourth grown or sooner. Parents must not be excited or they will eat spawn or fry.
Temperature: 70° to 90° F. Fry above 75° F. Breed best at 80° F.
Maturity: 10 to 14 months.
Temperament: Very savage—male frequently attacks carefully mated female.
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