Above: In this picture a young Premium Turquoise Jewel Cichlid is swimming in one of our aquariums, when one of us snapped this picture.
Comments: These fish are named after their beautiful jewel-like coloring. The males show richer colors, as they mature.
Origin: The ancestors of these Turquoise Jewel Cichlids lived in the Northern and Western Congo River Basin.
But now they live in aquariums all over the world.
Maximum Size: In aquariums, they grow to be about 5" long, including their tails, which is a nice size for aquariums.
Behaviors: Turquoise Jewel Cichlids can be aggressive fish.
Compatibility: Some recommended tank mates include, Malawi Peacocks, mild tempered Mbunas like the Lemon Yellow Mbuna, and Synodontis Catfish, also Cichlids from Lake Victoria, but probably not Cichlids from Lake Tanganyika.
Click here for more about Synodontis Catfish.
Click here to read more about compatible groups of pet fish.
Temperature: Turquoise Jewel Cichlids live best from about 75 to 80-degrees F. with 78 being perhaps ideal.
Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.
Feeding: Premium Fish Food Pellets is the best food for most Cichlids.
It's best to feed them small pellets when they're small, then gradually increase the size, as they grow bigger.
In their natural habitat the Turquoise Jewel Cichlids eat small fish, but they do not require live fish when living in an aquarium.
Click here to learn more about and shop online for premium fish foods.
Water Conditions: These fish can adapt to most types of water, and so as usual it's best not to try to change the pH or hardness of their aquarium water.
Click here for a lot more information about aquarium water conditions.
Aquarium Size: Turquoise Jewel Cichlids will eventually need to live in an aquarium with at least 50-gallons of water.
Decor: Turquoise Jewel Cichlids do not need gravel on the bottom of their aquarium, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.
Click here for more about aquarium gravel.
Live plants are beautiful and improve the water quality, but this fish will usually rip plants up, so most aquariums with Jewel Cichlids do not have live plants.
Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended.
Most 50-gallon aquariums have room along the back for two Penguin 350B Filters, and this is sort of the minimum set up for Turquoise Jewel Cichlids.
Better is an 80, 100, or 120-gallon aquarium with as many Penguin 350B Filters as will fit across the back.
Click here to learn more about aquarium filters.
The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range.
Click here to learn more about using Lava Rocks in aquariums.
Life Span: Turquoise Jewel Cichlids can live for at least 5-years.
Keep the water conditions excellent and feed them premium foods, and they'll most likely live longer and breed to produce the next generation of fish for your aquarium.
Gender: It's hard to tell young males from young females just by looking at them.
But Males will get more colorful as they mature and get ready to spawn.
Breeding: Turquoise Jewel Cichlids are Substrate Spawners.
Click here for a lot more about breeding various tropical fish in aquariums.
Popularity: The Turquoise Jewel Cichlids has been a rather popular aquarium fish for many many years.
Names: Their scientific name is Hemichromis lifalili.
There are some closely related species that look rather similar.
Variations: There are no variations of this species that are known to us, but there are other similar looking species.
Click here for a lot more information about keeping and caring for Diamond Jewel Cichlids, including a picture gallery.
We hope you've enjoyed reading these comments.
All of our fish are Premium Quality Fish from the best suppliers in the world. Our fish have better health, more energy and brighter colors, as you can see in our pictures on this website.
We have 380-aquariums with lots-and-lots of popular aquarium fish plus lots-and-lots of rare fish!
We consider ourselves to be the link between the world's best sources of fish and the world's best customers. We love our work, and we are very responsible about caring for our fish and then shipping them carefully.
We also offer lots and lots of information about keeping and caring for pet fish, all from the knowledge of the Bailey Brothers, who have a combined total of 100+ years of experience as breeders, wholesalers, and retailers of pet fish!
Our fish and our customers are treated with the best of care, and we work energetically everyday to make sure every customer enjoys their new fishy friends.
When you purchase pet fish from us, you know you're receiving premium quality fish and premium quality service.
"Received my fish last night and was so pleased! They all arrived alive and appeared to be healthy.
"Once in the tank, they became very active and are now thriving in their new home.
"Beautiful fish, I asked for color and aquariumfish delivered. Processing and shipping was extremely quick."
Nevin and DrTom, the Bailey Brothers
This website is owned and operated by the Bailey Brothers, DrTom and Nevin, who've been together in the fish business for more than 50-years.
The Product Manager has been with the company for more than 35-years.
So we feel very confident that this is the fishiest crew anywhere.