Home · Cichlidae · Angolan jewel cichlid
Angolan jewel cichlid (Hemichromis angolensis) — Cichlidae

Angolan jewel cichlid

Hemichromis angolensis
Family: Cichlidae

The Angolan jewel cichlid (Hemichromis angolensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
10.9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia

Want the complete picture on the Angolan jewel cichlid?

Get the app

Description

The Angolan jewel cichlid is a colourful West African cichlid from fresh water of Angola and the Congo basin. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a red-brown body that flushes fiery red in the breeding season and is studded with glittering blue-green spots, with dark blotches on the flank. As a bottom-dweller it lives in streams and rivers and eats insects, larvae, worms and plant material. It is a fiercely territorial substrate brooder that guards its young. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Angolan jewel cichlid?

The Angolan jewel cichlid has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Angolan jewel cichlid live?

The Angolan jewel cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Africa: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia

How big does the Angolan jewel cichlid get?

The Angolan jewel cichlid grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Angolan jewel cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Angolan jewel cichlid is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Angolan jewel cichlid?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Angolan jewel cichlid is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Angolan jewel cichlid sourced
Scientific name
Hemichromis angolensis
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Africa: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
Yes sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Hemichromis

More from the family Cichlidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Angolan jewel cichlid?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Angolan jewel cichlid is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Angolan jewel cichlid? Get the app