Jewel Cichlids
The viciousness of certain fish makes them undesirable for the home aquarist. But if the fish has a nearly unparalleled beauty of color, some people will put up with its savage idiosyncrasies. Such is the case with the jewel fish (Hemichromis bimaculatus), which is one of the most savage aquarium fish.
Breeding must be carefully supervised. In addition to the material suggested in the general discussion of the preparation of a tank, some very dense foliage must be added, the best being large clumps of Elodea. The necessity for such foliage is easily seen when you realize that the jewel fish is probably the most active, sexually, of the cichlids during the spawning interlude. Should one of the fish show the slightest signs of weakness, the other would immediately rip it to pieces; such dense foliage will help save the fish from such an end.
The jewel cichlids are quite beautiful when in breeding colors. They are bred the same way as the A. portalegrensis. Some authors suggest the use of the mature eggs of the Hemichromis for embryological studies. Solberg and Brinley have done some serious work on the embryological development of the fish and have found that heart action begins about 36 hours after fertilization, and that 48 hours after fertilization the embryo bursts from its containing membrane by a violent swish of its tail and moves away. They state that the yolk is absorbed after seven days, and advise that at this time, when the jaws become movable, the young jewels should be fed protozoa.
Other fish which have the same breeding habits as A. portalegrensis and H. bimaculatus are as follows:
Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum--commonly called the "Texas cichlid"; in Texas, they call it a "perch." These fish are usually caught and eaten by the poor in and around the Rio Grande. While on a visit to San Antonio, the author saw them swimming in the river which flows right through the heart of town. They run to about 8 inches and are rather pretty, being covered with pearl-like speckles. They should be kept by themselves in a large tank.
