Aquarist: thopson

Aquarist Notes

Photo of aquarist's species:

Genetic Line:   Aquarium Strain

Year Acquired:   2026

Spawning notes:

Species Spawned:   Yes

My bonded pair of Hemichromis bimaculatus spawned in a lightly planted 20-gallon aquarium equipped with a Matten filter. The aquarium was maintained at 24°C using conditioned tap water. The eggs were deposited at the back of the aquarium on a piece of clay. Both parents remained with the brood and actively guarded the eggs and fry. Free-swimming fry from the first recorded spawn were observed on May 13, 2026, with approximately 50 fry documented. The pair subsequently produced additional broods.

Have Reared Fry?   Yes

Both parents raised and guarded the fry in the 20-gallon breeding aquarium at 24°C. The fry were fed microworms as their first food. The aquarium was maintained with water top-ups as required rather than routine water changes. When the parents laid a new brood, the older fry were transferred into a separate 15-gallon nursery and grow-out aquarium. By August 2026, approximately 200 Jewel cichlid juveniles were being grown out, with juveniles successfully reaching distributable size.

Young fish available?   Yes