Jewel Cichlid Breeding and Care

Hello Fellow Fish Keepers,
This video covers everything you need to know about caring for and breeding Jewel Cichlids. These are very colorful, but somewhat aggressive cichlids from Western Africa.
Want to see some information on potential tank mates? Check out these videos:
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Geophagus steindachneri: • Geophagus steindachner...
Oscar Care: • Oscar Breeding and Care
Chinese Algae Eater: • Chinese Algae Eater Sp...
Geophagus tapajos: • Geophagus tapajos Bree...
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For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics
Thanks for watching!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Want to see some information on potential tank mates? Check out these videos: Bristlenose Pleco: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIPXkKeghLCMbpY Geophagus steindachneri: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5e5qWCKhKiWla8 Oscar Care: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n36qloF6aN94is0 Chinese Algae Eater: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6CuYoSJr9iCq68 Geophagus tapajos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4TafGycnJKXgK8 If you want to see more behind the scenes stuff, exclusive videos and support the channel consider becoming a member! kzbin.info/door/YVN7EN0ALL6CE4U7NpMUTAjoin Also, our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics

[@lh8956]

*My experience with jewels has been much different. I've kept them with MUCH larger aggressive cichlids. I've seen numerous non breeding specimens stand up and fight larger fish that were trying to assert dominance over them. And after a while, the jewels low key kinda start picking the fights to where it becomes a weird truce. They remind me of Scrappy Doo because they don't seem to care how big there opponent is. As long as their opponent can't outright swallow them, there really isn't a cichlid I would be nervous mixing them with. Even with a few that could swallow. But hey that's me, from my experiences. Right now I have some in with some unfriendly Starry Night Cichlids I'd say are 5x their size. I find it absolutely fascinating/comical how they don't back down giving the size difference. And I've seen this over the course of my going on 40 years in the hobby.*

[@pablomuzzobar8940]

Thanks for the info

[@opercula]

Similar experience. Had a breeding pair in a monster tank with full grown oscars, red devil etc. and they maintained total control of their section of the tank.

[@mayjornales8685]

Same here. I have like 4 of them in my 75-Gallon tank and yeah... don't be fooled by their size 'cause they can be domineering as well on their own little territory and I find that also cute of these fellas when they start to chase after those bigger guys in the community.

[@TerryLestrange]

Probably à stupid question but can you keep just one of those in a community tank ? Cause alone they can't breed so maybe less agressive?

[@tracys4161]

Other than guppies, this was the first fish I successfully bred. I had a pair when I was 12 years old, and they spawned in a 10-gallon aquarium within a week after my dad bought them for me. Their colors get insanely bright when they spawn--it's a shade of orange you can't believe exists in nature and their jewels become almost 3D. They are great parents who will even attack your hand when they're caring for the eggs or fry.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That was one of the things that attracted me to these fish as well - the amazing color!

[@coreyc3802]

Tracy S you think if I have just one in my tank it would be a mild cichlid ? I don’t want to come home and them be floating

[@njafricancichlids5149]

Wow those are gorgeous specimen. Thanks for sharing

[@rorylennon]

Glowing red going into orange and pink, with blue spangling, very nice. The deportment is interesting also.

[@sujitraikwar2149]

beautiful fishes, please keep making awesome videos.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thanks - we will try! : -)

[@sujitraikwar2149]

most welcome

[@traceyfaulkner9909]

Prime Time Aquatics if you allow fry to grow to adulthood, is it ok for them to mate? Or will they?

[@ricksaquatics5328]

Another great video. Tank You!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thanks Rick!

[@jimbobaso2832]

I saw these in my local store I really like them so I search how to take care for them, this video sure help me a lot

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That's great to hear!

[@En_Gho]

Beautiful colors!

[@JenaTuckerAquariums]

These are beautiful!!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@Darkmetamorphosis1]

I've kept mine with jack dempseys for over 3 years without issues in a 90 gallon, I have 4 jewels and 3 Jack, 2 female 1 male, jewels have bred like 4 times without killing anything, Jack takes no crap either, I love this fish

[@paulkruger491]

Great looking fish.

[@philthytanks4952]

Nice video dude. I just picked up a mating pair that a customer brought in. I haven’t been a big on cichlids other than Angels in the past but figured I’d give these guys a go.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Awesome! I hope you enjoy them. : -)

[@haohmaro23]

Tks for the info u put out here & to all the breeders..tq I actually want to mix red jewel with all the fishes around the world in my community tank and when i found out that it cant be mixed, so another tank for them for sure.. Tks again.. u all are really helpful ppl..

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thanks for watching!

[@eric21881]

Getting my first tank this week, 30 gallons and four chichlids and a few silver dollars that are already tank mates.

[@sebastianpacurar8350]

Very nice fish!

[@quazi.shahin]

The jewel cichlid is awesome fish👌

[@kristinajofish8209]

Thank you for this informative video

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-yt3gv4um5z]

Great video, I just added them to my 55 with some electric blue acaras, they get on fine.. it’s a cool clash of colors in that tank

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Interesting combo. Would love to hear if they are still working out in a few months (not saying they won't ). Just curious.

[@tabmost]

Brilliant

[@quazi.shahin]

Lovely fish👍

[@ivansantiago9276]

I have mine with a Jaguar chiclid and it worked out great

[@tabmost]

My favorite

[@apss5736]

Nice video. I now own a large individual

[@1971mav]

I kept mine with Firemouths and they got along fine.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Cool! That's a good mix.

[@cymunsworld6256]

Wow! Super!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Cymun's World Thank you!

[@stuartmcdonald5172]

Really liked the point you made about African Lake CIchlids changing colour to indicate subdominance and that this breed cant' do it. It's the only legitimate reason I have heard (aside from parameters) to not mix them with rift lake fish.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@robertmcgruder554]

I caught some feral ones in Florida. Currently in a community tank of all wild caught natives and released or escaped species. Jaguar guapote, black acara, large sailfin mollys, largemouth bass, and bluegill. They due amazing. You'd be surprised who gets along with who. In Florida you'll see a school of these guys next to tilapia, Oscars or acaras

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Makes me wish I lived in Florida. :-)

[@litoloco4fish]

Beautiful video...can't find these in vegas.. i saw a pair one time in an Asian store...$40 per fish ..so expensive here in vegas but tbats the only other time I saw them. Love your fish and información 🙏🏼❤

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@Bigdawg_1deep]

I got one wild one and it was 20$ but worth it solid red!

[@SC-hk6ui]

well pronounced.

[@benvarley2927]

I have 1 in a 30 with some red eye tetra, and ornate tetras! Working on adding more plants! (Thick plants help)

[@jpphoto71]

Very beautiful fish,i have a pair with fry now.hope they will survive.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Good luck! They are cool-looking fish.

[@jpphoto71]

Prime Time Aquatics thanks, yes they are.

[@fortheloveofbirds8886]

i have 8 of thes🤗

[@dddmmm21]

Jewel were my most successful fish when I was a pre-teen (30yrs ago)… first because they killed everyone else, Oscars and other mean fish. Jewels are the meanest. Then they bred in my small 10ga tank. Most impressively, dad would keep the fry inside his mouth at any sign of danger.

[@Peazykae]

When I was raising these fish, 2 Of my cichlids were actually breeding! I didn't even know until I saw some fry swimming around 😅

[@vnukvelesov]

Красавцы у вас хромисы 🔥👍. Окраска на 5-+++❗

[@needmoretime9394]

hello loving the gorgeous colors on these guys!! could you have a handful of males and not worry about breeding aggression?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It's not something I've tried. My gut feeling is they would still spare for territory. Obviously, the larger the space the less that may happen. Also, dither fish may reduce some aggression too.

[@ameliaknipp8985]

I have had them with convicts goo in lg tanks

[@aquaticwong]

Another great vid Jason.. And team.. As you had these from fry what was the growth rate?.. Thanks

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I would say they were about average growers - nothing out of the ordinary.

[@aquaticwong]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics.. Thanks

[@aquaticwong]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics was hoping they was fast growers to go with my Oscar

[@KennasWorld]

I used to have these fish! Had to get more tanks because they kept breeding lol

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Ya, they will surely do that! :-)

[@jakelowry2003]

Oh and a convict as well

[@christinahudson4153]

I love your videos!! Very informative. Can anyone please answer a question for me. I bought ONE jewel cichlid, and after I got her home I realized she was pregnant. She was the last of her kind in the tank. She is in a community 60 gallon tank. I do not have a way to start another tank at this time. I guess the other fish will just eat her eggs or babies?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Did she lay the eggs in your tank? If so, they would still need to be fertilized by a male. If she did lay the eggs, they will probably be non-viable anyway.

[@christinahudson4153]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics She has not laid them yet. Can I add a male to fertilize them?

[@KasunHiranya]

which type of lights are suit for them?

[@Zufop]

What would you recommend keeping them? I have a 40 gallon and I want them but I would love to just have one or two? What numbers would you recommend them in

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

One can work just fine!

[@raycooper2287]

Hello, love you guys, I'm getting 24 Turkana Jewel Cichlids for my 55 gallon tank, no other fish, can you give information about water parameters? Tips ? Same water as African cichlids or different?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

They do fine anywhere from upper 6s to 8 for pH. Water can be slightly soft to somewhat hard - they don't seem to mind.

[@kalbekanani2279]

I have a couple of juwel cichlid with so many mbunas in a community tank. I've never any kind of aggression. I mean when they defend their territory when they have fry, they just get agressive if an other fish comes too close but nothing crazy. It's been 2 years now so I guess it is ok to keep them with mbunas. Maybe I am just lucky or maybe it is because I have so much rocks in my tank

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Good to hear!

[@kevinullery8749]

Just had a pair breed and are turkanas. I was reaching out to see if these are worth rising or should I use the fry when they get bigger as live feeders for 215 SA cichlid tank? I am in Chicago area so are they worth to when they become bigger bring them to swap?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Usually swap prices are about $1/fish if you can sell them? Might be worth keeping a small group and see what happens?

[@rooster8461]

Great info. How can I get information about the Aquatic shows happening in my area? Is there a list I should be on? I live in Connecticut, and Hartford and New Haven are our two major cities, Hartford, being our states capital.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I'm not sure outside of trying to google aquatic clubs near me sort of thing?

[@rooster8461]

Thanks, guys. I'll look into it. stay awesome.

[@Beast6000jdjdieoeoidis]

I love this fish and im willing to buy one for a community tank... I have 3 severums.. can I add only one jewel cichlid to this tank that way there will no pairing and hence no agression Or will I face agression???

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It could still be aggressive, but it might work out with the Severums.

[@dddmmm21]

Jewel were my most successful fish when I was a pre-teen (30yrs ago)… but they were not so red. first because they killed everyone else, Oscars and other mean fish. Jewels are the meanest. Then they bred in my small 10ga tank. Most impressively, dad would keep the fry inside his mouth at any sign of danger.

[@roxannat89]

I have 3 with about 25 mbuna cichlids. They’ve been together about 8 months but may take them out when I upgrade my mbunas to another tank.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Cool that it's working so far though!

[@roxannat89]

Yeah, but they’re not coloring up although they are only about 8 months old, I got the as fry altogether with the mbunas. And the mbunas are colorful but not the jewels.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

They might be subduing their colors as much as possible to avoid being attacked by the mbuna.

[@michaelharrity9795]

I want one

[@joealyjim3029]

Beautiful fish but the tankmate situation is a shame, you reckon phenacogrammus aurantiacus would be ok with them?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I think that could work in a 4ft tank or larger.

[@joealyjim3029]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics nice, im not planning on implementing it soon i just enjoy planning future tanks but cheers for the reply

[@patryklodygo6281]

I have a question I have 30 gallon tank I have only pair in it I have also 2 weeks fry I feed them same food as a adult ones just crash the food more and they growing very fast I have a question how many of those could I keep in tank this size if I will do lot of caves can I keep like 10-15 of them just like malawi cichlids , I think aggression would be smaller if there will be so many of them there.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

The group we had in the 40 gallon breeder was fine until pairs started to form. Had we kept them I probably would not have been able to keep more than two pairs in the tank?

[@porcu12345]

Would a large group of grown Congo tetras be okay with these? I assume they're from the same biotope.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

If the tank is of sufficient size it might work (depending on set-up). If the Jewels start breeding they will probably attack anything that gets near their territory though. I would always be ready with a back-up plan if the Jewels decide they want the tank to themselves. If you do try it I'd love to hear an update.

[@Cichlid_4_ever]

I’ve dropped 1 in a 20 gallon tall with some plecos neon tetras and kuhli loaches. You think I’m safe for him to grow out a little bit before I move him to the 75 I have. He’s a juvenile about 1.5”

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

You probably have a little time.

[@praveen4777]

I have Mbunas and red jewel cichilids in the same tank for 2 years there' s no problem Can I add some Peacock cichiids ??

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Possibly, but I generally don't add them unless I have at least a 75 gallon.

[@1domcouk]

Do you think you could keep one Jewel Cichlid in a select community aquarium? Thanks

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I probably wouldn't try it in a standard community tank, but if they are in semi-aggressive community tanks it can sometimes work.

[@TheTiffs]

My jewels are with South American Cichlids at first it was touch and go but now they all living in a 250g community

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Cool! Sometimes you can find a nice mix where everyone gets along. : -)

[@KasunHiranya]

hey man. nice video. are they eat their eggs? i have one pair of them. After they breaded i saw they are with their eggs. After two days all eggs are diapered. What happend ? Please answer Thanks

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

If it's their first time they might eat them or they may eat them if they start to fungus. Also, other fish like plecos and catfish will eat them. If it's just the pair in a tank they are usually good parents.

[@KasunHiranya]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics thanks. But there are only parents.

[@ziluq6836]

Hey, i got a porblem with my jewel fish. I bought 3 from a local pet store, supposedly 2 females and 1 male. The male is very very agrasive and after 2 weeks 1 of the females died. Not the male is constantly chaching the last female. Any tips on how i can solve the agrassion issue

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

If they don't breed there may be nothing to do except remove one of them?

[@midasman714]

Nice! Just a tip: when zooming, you should physically walk closer instead of digital zoom to keep resolution.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I think I filmed this video on my phone a long time ago (before I ever got my camera)?

[@GNG5257]

I asked a local fish store worker if they had any red-jewel cichlids and he directed me to very young small brown/tan colored jewels and told me they would redden up as they age. I just wanted to ask if that’s a true statement? Are these specifically different from regular jewels or were they also brown as juveniles? Thank you so much!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

They do tend to get more color as they approach maturity.

[@GNG5257]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics specifically what I’m wondering is, is red jewel it’s own variation? Or do all jewels eventually turn red?

[@usetobeasurferchick]

I have a natural pond absolutely full of these fish. How they got there, I have no idea. I dug the pond following a hurricane to drain my land and transferred some mosquito fish into it from a few standing puddles and wa la! the Jewel Cichlids showed up. They breed like crazy!!!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That’s too funny.

[@usetobeasurferchick]

Prime Time Aquatics I'm wondering if some of them might be hybrids. They all get very red with the neon blue jewels when breeding but the rest of the time they dull down to a pinkish with a gorgeous yellow trim on their fins. I am in the process of setting up a small outdoor pool (about sixty gallons) so I can capture some of them and observe them a little more closely. I actually saw a large male that had to be five inches at least. I've introduced some sunfish to the pond to help control the Cichlid population... there are literally thousands of them in a half acre pond!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Could be. Tough to say when they're in a pond. : -) There are slight color differences depending on the strain too.

[@usetobeasurferchick]

Prime Time Aquatics Thank you for replying!!! You tubers NEVER reply. Your videos and your willingness to reply have made a subscriber out of me. About the color differences, that is why I want to capture some juveniles and watch them in an environment where I can see them better. Thanks for posting the video because up until now I wasn't even sure what kind of Cichlid they were. Hardly anybody talks about the Jewels and they are so beautiful!! Thanks again!

[@jakelowry2003]

I need to know what bloating and breeding. I've had my jewel inside a tank with an Oscar and a jack Dempsey .. can a jewel mate with these fish.. they've lived in the same tank for 5 yrs..

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I haven't seen it happen or heard of it.

[@Biewtiful]

hi, what happen if i already put in African cichild. and its made every one go one size of the tank?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

You may have to move him out. Especially if the other fish are non-cichlids. Sometimes they ease up, but often they claim their territory and push everyone else to the corners.

[@mudassirmm6110]

I have also a pair and a clutch of frys but the problm is that my jewel is lockal breed they are not like yours fish colors i dont no why have you any idea about it?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

They can vary based on the line. I have a couple different strains and these were the best!

[@stuartmcdonald5172]

I'm concerned about my Jewel. I bought a tiny Jewel fry impulsively for $2.99 (Canadian) 3 months ago and it ate and grew like I have never seen before. It quickly outgrew the tank that I had it in and actually ate $15 worth of embers before I realized it was too big to keep in a community. I tried housing mine with one convict female in a 40 breeder but they would have eventually killed one another. I like my jewel even though he's making life difficult for me but he's only in a 20 long right now, by himself which I suspect is too small for a fish like him to thrive. I just don't know where to put him because I can't add any more tanks.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Based on all your tank options you're probably doing the best you can. You could always consider giving him to someone with a larger tank?

[@fishead4464]

I love jewels. one of my all time favorite tanks was a 20 gallon with 3 jewels and a dwarf aquarium lily that I had about 14 years ago. the lily pads covered the entire water surface and gave everything an awesome red tone that made the jewels pop even more. I have kept jewels with Malawi cichlids long term a couple times with zero problem... just lucky I guess. my most recent jewel was 6 inches when he died, I named him cheeks because he looked like he had big pudgy cheeks. he was the tank boss but wouldn't fight with anyone... except on occasion he would fight with my blue botia/loach. I don't think I will mix them again though because I'm not as willing to take those risks anymore.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Very cool. I found a little tannins in the water made the purples really shine too!

[@matt_4229]

Can I put in a jewel cichlid, a Texas cichlid, a parrot cichlid, and an Oscar? Or should I replace the jewel with a African cichlid?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I have a jewel and Oscar together right now (in a 125). It's been working fine the last couple years. Each cichlid tank has different dynamics, and if the others have been in their a while I might be hesitant (or at least have a back up plan).

[@walterrussell7584]

Can I keep one with a Flowerhorn the same size

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

My guess is the Flowerhorn may kill the Jewel in time. They can be rather unagreeable fish when they get larger. : -)

[@zemunusrcu3805]

Hello friend. Can i keep them with EBA? Thx

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Maybe in a four foot tank or larger?

[@zemunusrcu3805]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics 70 gal

[@jajatus2002]

Could you keep a pair in a 20 long?

[@VetAquatics]

It depends on the specific kind, they range anywhere from 4"-10", but tend to be around 5" for the ones sold in the hobby. I'd say a 40 gallon minimum.

[@newerafrican]

Jewels with Giant Danios? Electric yellow Labidochromis? Are single Jewels less aggressive?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Jewels and gourami for sure. The yellows might be better off on their own (more of a diet thing).

[@thehobbykingdom2725]

hello jason, can you tell me how to tell the difference between male and female jewel fish? ?? ? ?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

For the group I have I have not been able to distinguish the males from females. They all have the same color, body shape, body size, and fin characteristics. I got nine of them to start with and the plan was to wait for a pair to form. Sorry I can't be more help.

[@thehobbykingdom2725]

Thanks brother

[@youneverknow4707]

A trick that i learnt from keeping them, once they are bout a inch or an inch and a half you can tell based on their tale fin. The males will usually have spots going all the way down where as the females will have them going only half way down or so.

[@TerryLestrange]

Can I keep one in a community tank ? So he or she can't breed and doesn't get agressive?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

If they are in with other fish of similiar aggression it can work.

[@TerryLestrange]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics I guess I just skip those fish. But they are really beautiful. Thanks for the good video's!

[@screwfacesfish6684]

as juveniles should you always keep in a group until a pair establishes or hope for two juveniles to be male & female?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It usually works best to get a group.

[@screwfacesfish6684]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics i started with 3 and the 2 killed the 1. It now looks as if i have a male female Juvenile Pair based off behavior minimal chasing and civil together i am going to watch carefully for anymore signs i will have 4 more jewel cichlids on stand by.

[@Puma1Sunfire1]

Recently got some from a local fish store all under 2 inches or less each. About five or six to start with almost all them or male exception of a single female and she never really develop the spots or spangling at least nowhere near the level males did I did get a breeding pair to form and they tried correction did make an indentation in gravel and laid eggs but nothing came of it after that. Both male and female fanned the eggs and guarded them but not sure exactly what happened I think I'm going to need to do some research because the only thing I could think of would be the nerite snails I had in that tank ate the eggs. Probably 50 to 100 eggs for 2 days then nothing but a destroyed nest area, no depression in the gravel. So going to be intersting when they try again.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Puma1Sunfire1 Sometimes it takes them a few tries to get it right. The snails could very well come in and eat the eggs over night.

[@d.calabretta2242]

What do I need to do to get mine to color like yours? Mine are very pale.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I don't remember the exact strain I had, but I kick myself for getting rid of them because I haven't seen a strain that deep red since. Rrrrr

[@theone5404]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics I bet.

[@randommeditss1786]

What are the chances of buying 2 of these from your local petshop and them just maturing to be a perfect pair and breeding.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

The chances of getting a male and a female when buying two unsexed fish is 25%. The percentage goes down from there regarding their ability to mate if you have a male and female. One thing to keep in mind, at least around me, getting rid of fry from these fish is almost impossible - not many people want them. Hope it woks out!

[@shamsparkar8766]

What do you feed them brother?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

They eat everything! Flake foods, NLS pellets, frozen brine shrimp and blood worms. They seem to like it all. : -)

[@fishkeeper7603]

hey I have a question I have 4 jewels with my mbunas .. aggression is not the thing all of them r doing good no fights nothing but these jewels r not displaying there colours . they r always deep red or rather brown and they r not spreading there fins . they r of 1.5 inches. any experienced guy reading this thing pls send a helpful reply

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Color suppression can happen for a few reasons. 1) They could be sick, but you said they are doing alright. 2) It may be a show of submission to the other fish in the tank. In other words, they are trying to tell the other fish they are not a threat. If all the fish are small this may work for a while, but as they grow sometimes the mbunas will still attack (set-up depending). 3) Substrate can also play a role, but not as much with Jewel cichlids compared to some other fish. 4) They are also still young (probably) and colors improve as they get older. Just keep an eye on them. If aggression becomes a problem you may have to move them.

[@fishkeeper7603]

Prime Time Aquatics Thnk u bcz most of the youtubers don't reply Thnk u for giving me a advice and I wanna inform u that my mbunas r matured. and I made hiding spots with river stones and bushy artificial plants and they and use white sand as a substrate

[@fishkeeper7603]

hey after 5 days everything is all right . they r no more afraid they r spreading there fins and showing natural colour. and u were right they were sick I saw something white like substance on them then moved to my smaller tank treated them with a small piece of garlic dipped in tank . however 1 of them didn't survived but others r all right now in my main tank

[@chater60]

I had jack dempsey brothers years ago and i am notbsure i would trust them with a smaller one. They uaed to peck at each others top fins.

[@jessicaanglehart9839]

A have a question for breeding can i have a a fish reed we him ... inacceptable 90gal

[@michaelharrity9795]

Can I put one with my electric blue acara

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Hard to say for sure. EBA tend to be less aggressive. Not sure if the Jewel would start chasing him around after a while.

[@Exorzist10463]

I have a question.. and hopefully i get an answer soon.. I wash my tank about every 2 weeks.. i thought about doing it last Friday and I was not able too. In my tank there are 5 fish in total. 1 flowerhorn 1 black convict 1 that looks like a green terror and 2 red Jewels..which i had no idea were a male and a female... all my fish are no bigger then 2 inches.. the problem is.. right before i started washing my 37 gallons tank I come to realize the red jewels made a hole in the sand and have like 20 babies in it... What I'm suppose to do from here? I feel like washing the tank is not an option for now and I would like to help as many as they can survive.. I know once the leave the whole other fish will try to eat them... (I breed tetras and guppies before and I know babies will not last in there....) what should I do?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

In a tank stocked with your fish I would remove the fry to a smaller tank on their own because they'll most likely be eaten. If that's not possible, you can still do water changes but I would do it from the opposite side of the tank and pull the water from the top half. Hope this helps

[@Exorzist10463]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics the fry have started to swing outside the hole but they are so.. small... how could i transfer them to another tank? I'm not in position to buy another tank at the moment.. is there such thing as some king of tank divider? or any ideas to work inside the same tank?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Lots of places sell breeder boxes that hang inside the tank and are made of mesh, so all you need is the box itself and the existing filter you use for the tanks will also filter the water in the box. You can suck the fry up with a turkey baster and put them in the breeder box.

[@Exorzist10463]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you

[@Exorzist10463]

By the way.. frys just left the hole is about 200 of them 😱😱😱 I dont think I want to save all of them.. my other fish are in the opposite corner of the tank 😅

[@kellskells]

Is it posible to keep all males juwels tank ?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

They would probably fight quite a bit depending on the size of the tank.

[@marcomedini9131]

I have a pair. They lay eggs very often but they just turn White and dont hatch, whats happening?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

They are fungusing for some reason. Either the male didn't fertilize them, the female is not caring for them, or the eggs just have a tendency to fungus in that particular setup (not really your fault). I have that happen too - if I really want to raise the fry I often have to put the eggs in a tumbler and place the tumbler into a small tank (with no fish) with a drop or two of methylene blue.

[@souradeepthakur_2650]

can i keep jewel cichlids with mellow mbuna species and peacocks?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I would say 50% of the time it works? Just depends on the individual fish.

[@souradeepthakur_2650]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics thnx for the advice 🙂

[@diefluse]

We had a lot of problems with breeding ; ( We seprarated our pair when we saw that the female very bright and was dancing a lot. They layed eggs but only 2 /3 were fetilized and after a week all were gone and the parents were very dull and dark. What went wrong? Its the 3. Time it doesn't work out 😭

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It can take a few times for some fish to get it right. Also, if there are other fish in the tank they could be snacking on eggs as well (like plecos). I've had the same thing happen with Rams and Geophagus, but they seem to get better with time.

[@loriodaniel4073]

We have a Jewel with a huge belly what can it be she seems healthy please help🙏🙏🙌🙌

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Could be bloat? Often there isn't a lot that can be done for it. Are you feeding it a lot of blood worms?

[@kalawai2000]

If you have a community aquarium is it possible to have one?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It would depend on how aggressive the community inhabitants are - I probably wouldn't try it because I have found them to be fairly aggressive towards non-cichlids.

[@coreyc3802]

Prime Time Aquatics what if it’s a cichlid tank like on my profile? Aside from the angel or krib

[@natterism]

i got 2 for my community cichlid tank when i was a child and and in a month i had to run to town "45 minutes away" to buy a devider because they were even tearing my pleco apart to protect their offspring in the end i had to take the all back to the pet store only 15 of the cloud of babies survived there had to be close to 200 to start but i was like 15 16ish and did not yet know what i was doin i still love their color but am not sure i wanna ever get them again, but mine tore my mbunas apart lol i only had yellow labs

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thanks for sharing! A great summary of what they do when protecting fry.

[@natterism]

their protection of their fry is admirable, it was neat to see what lengths they went to to defend their young

[@coreyc3802]

Naderz irelend you think if I add one to my 29 it would be a mild cichlid? I got a video of my tank on my profile

[@assassin3003]

At first I was thinking this was a central or south American cichlid from how it looks

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I hear you!

[@deepkeeper4762]

Can i keep a single red jewel cichlid like a flowerhorn???

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Sure

[@deepkeeper4762]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics there are many people in my country breed red jewel cichlid in 2 feet tank, but i don’t want to breed bcz of time. So, i want to keep a red jewel cichlid in a 2 feet tank. Is it ok???

[@jamesstock7882]

Never seen red jewels like these so red

[@jarrodgee4261]

Jewel cichlids are a type of African cichlid. They work just fine in an mbuna tank. I have two in mine and they work just fine. I’ve also kept them with all kinds of South American fish.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Very true that they are Africans, but they are West Africans (not great lake cichlids like the mbuna). Glad to hear the combo is working for you!

[@umarrizwan1062]

Can I feed mine prawns?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I’ve never tried?

[@shawngatewood3673]

They are beautiful fish,they are not community fish thou,best to keep with other chlchlids,the females have a rounder stomach.

[@hunterthabet3217]

Shawn Gatewood i have them with rainbow fish, guppies, and Cory cats and my buddy has them with rasboras, I would say I’m super lucky but keeping them with community’s is possible

[@lloydbryanbalanon8769]

I have that fish to with platty, gurami, tiger barb,angle fish and two more other fish... Are they realy agressive? My aquarium seem peacefull with all that fish i mention...