Banded jewelfish (Hemichromis fasciatus)

Scientific name: Hemichromis fasciatus Peters, 1857

The Banded jewelfish (Hemichromis fasciatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 23–25°C (73–77°F).

Banded jewelfish care at a glance

Temperature: 23–25°C (73–77°F)

Biology

Occurs in both forest and savannah biotopes; present in littoral riverine habitats and permanent floodplain lagoons with clear water. Feeds on shrimps, insects and small fishes. A nesting substrate spawner which breeds in the early summer. Used for tilapia control. Maximum TL was recorded at 26.5 cm.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Hemichromis fasciatus
Family: Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 20.4
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 7.0 - ?; dH range: ? - 15 benthopelagic; potamodromous
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Africa: widely distributed in West Africa, where it is known from most hydrographic basins. Also in the Nile basin, Lake Chad basin and in the upper Zambezi. Distribution of this species and overlap with Hemichromis elongatus unclear, but probably absent from the Congo basin (see also ). Introduced around 1970 in a stream fed by hot springs in Villach (Austria).
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=1.20; Fec