Red Jewel

[Cichlidfever]

I think there are at least 3 or 4 different types of Red Jewels, can anybody to what is the name of the one that show more red colors?

[Bas Pels]

As far as I know, the only fishes addressed as red jewels are Hemichromis sp

It is very sad someone has introduced these fishes in Central America, but they are still West African ones

[illustrator]

Actually, there are more. The "common red one" is called Hemichromis lifalili in trade (in European shops), but I am not ertain if this is the correct name. There are others that are equally red coloured, but these are rarely in trade. Please be aware that Hemichromis are very agressive/territorial in breeding time (= sooner or later) and that they often eat parts of the fins of other fish species and even of others of their own species. They are beautifull, interesting fish, relatively easy to keep and breed, but they give their own kinds of problems and they are unsuitable for community-aquariums.

http://www.sydneycichlid.com/jewel-cichlids.htm

[Cichlidfever]

Yes I knew it was different ones, I think they all fall under Hemichromis, but there are different kinds within... Yes one is called lifalili, although there are others. I wanted to know, which one shows the most red...

[Cichlidfever]

I found two of the red jewels, Lifalili, and Bimaculatus. Which one is the prettiest (red)?

[Darrell Ullisch]

Neither one; the two fish in the hobby that are commonly called "bimaculatus" and "lifalili" are most likely different populations of Hemichromis guttatus. The real H. bimaculatus may not even be available in the hobby, at least in the US. Anton Lamboj, who wrote the book on West African Cichlids, leaked at the 2007 OCA show that the real lifalili is a red and yellow fish similar to cristatus, but he apparently hasn't written the paper yet (at least, not that I've heard).

There are currently 8-9 valid described species of "Red" Jewels, and several populations that are currently unassigned or undescribed. These fish tend to be quite variable in appearance, leading to considerable confusion as to ID in the hobby. The Forest Jewels, such as cristatus and stellifer, are much less aggressive than the more common guttatus. IMO, cristatus is much more colorful than the solid red species. You might want to look at the genus here: http://www.cichlidae.com/gallery.php?genus=Hemichromis.

The bright red populations of guttatus are usually assigned the name "Lifalili" in the hobby, so if you buy fish under that name you should get the reddest forms. But even those really don't stay completely red all the time, only when breeding is the color so intense.

[illustrator]

A small note: I noticed that many of the H. "lifalili" from trade have deformities, especially bend and shortened vertebral colum. I think that they are (very) inbred, but some good ones can be found between the deformed ones. I don't know if this is the same worldwide, but I wouldn't be surprised if it is. If you decide for this colour variant, it pays of to select your fish very carefully.

p.s. I asked Lisa if she can move this subject to "other african cichlids".

[Lisachromis]

Seems someone else beat me.

[viejo66]

Neither one; the two fish in the hobby that are commonly called "bimaculatus" and "lifalili" are most likely different populations of Hemichromis guttatus. The real H. bimaculatus may not even be available in the hobby, at least in the US. Anton Lamboj, who wrote the book on West African Cichlids, leaked at the 2007 OCA show that the real lifalili is a red and yellow fish similar to cristatus, but he apparently hasn't written the paper yet (at least, not that I've heard).

I am not convinced that true Lifalili is not or hasn't been in the hobby although, I will agree that specimens labeled as such often appear to be the line-bred 'Hemichromis Bimaculatus' strain of guttatus that came out of Germany in the 70's ( or perhaps even hybrids). Years ago, Paul Loiselle shipped a number of the Lome lagoon form of H. Guttatus to me in which there were both all-red & red & yellow specimens from the same population. The wildcaught specimen of Lifalili pictured in Paul's description appears to be of red base color (although in non-breeding mode) & in possession of a greater # of spangles. The specimens shown in Lamboj's photo of Lifalili however, seem to be very close to one of the forms that I received from Pierre Brichard back when he was still shipping from the Congo which would be in the right baileywick for Lifalili.
Here is a shot of the breeding male of my present strain of Cristatus. He is not too far away color wise from the pics in Lamboj's book although he shows less yellow/gold.

[Darrell Ullisch]

The fish labelled lifalili in Lamboj's book are not that species, according to him. The photo in the CRC catalogue, however, is identical to the one that he believes to be the real lifalili. As stated before, all these species are quite variable; often this even applies to the same individual at different times! Coloration is very mood dependent in this group.

[viejo66]

I was referring to the photo of (dare I say alleged) lifalili in your link above as opposed to the ones in Lamboj's book although the placement of the mid-lateral spot with the yellow ring is in agreement with Loiselle's description. You are indeed spot on about coloration, diet & other factors can effect some radical changes. My breeder male pictured above shows even less yellow coloration than the pictures that I have of the parental stock as does his mate. I've been playing around with the expression of color in fishes since the early 60's & am still constantly finding something new.