Hemichromis guttatus

Hemichromis guttatus is a West African jewel cichlid widely distributed from Senegal to the Niger basin, distinguished by its green-gold base coloring with red-orange ventral shading and three prominent black lateral blotches — one behind the operculum, one at mid-body, and one at the caudal peduncle. Like all jewel cichlids, it becomes extremely territorial and aggressive when breeding and should be kept with great caution in community aquarium setups. A bonded pair in a species or specially planned tank is the safest approach.

House as a bonded pair in a dedicated aquarium (minimum 120 L) with plenty of caves, rocks, and visual barriers. Maintain pH 6.0–7.5, temperature 22–28°C, soft to moderately hard water. Feed varied omnivore foods: quality cichlid pellets, frozen shrimp, bloodworm, and earthworms. Extreme aggression during spawning is normal; monitor closely and be prepared to separate tankmates or the pair if necessary.