Sunday, February 8, 2009

Jewel Hybrid








I have bred a hybrid of between Red Forest Cichlid (Hemichromis lifalili) and Jewel Cichlid (Hemichromis bimaculatus ). Its offspring look some like a bit of each but mostly like the Jewels. The pictures shown above are not very clear but you can still see the colouration. Most are drabber like the ones on the front but some are stunningly red.

Some have interbreed among itself and have come in sort of colour pattern and sizes. But most show intense colouration during breeding time like the one shown below.



The one at the front is most likely the male and at the back is the female. The female is at normal size but the male is dominantly larger than any other jewel x red forest hybrid that I have.

Sexing the jewel fish is relatively quite simple. Look at the blue dots on its gills.If the dots are large it is most probably a male. If it is small then it is likely a female.




The above picture show the eggs laid by the pair.
Breeding would likely take place after a couple is form. Once they dominated an area it will clean a site and lay eggs after a few days. The eggs will hatch for 3-4 days depending on the temperature. Then it will disappear but wait don't be to hasty on the situation. The fry will start to appear after a few days when it is free swimming. The fry can be given crush food on the first day it started free swimming.

1 comment:

  1. Any updated info, I want to breed a large hydrid , like a huge bright red five start hemichromis. Any ideas?

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