Hemichromis Elongatus

Datasheet

General Description

The Hemichromis Elongatus, commonly known as the Five Star General, is a robust cichlid recognized for its row of five dark markings along its flanks. With a maximum size of 15.0 cm, this species is highly aggressive and predatory, often preying on smaller fish.

Aquarium Setup

To house the Hemichromis Elongatus adequately, a tank of a minimum size of 110 liters is recommended. The setup should include ample hiding spots like twisted roots, branches, rocks, or clay flowerpots. Substrate-rooted plants may not thrive due to the species' digging behavior, but plants like Anubias, Bolbitis, or Java fern attached to decor work well. Floating vegetation to dim lighting is advisable. Water parameters should be maintained at a temperature of 22-25°C, a pH of 6.5-7.5, and hardness of 5-15°dH.

Behaviour

Known for its aggressive nature, the Hemichromis Elongatus is highly piscivorous, feeding on fish it can fit in its mouth. This cichlid is best kept singly or as a pair in a spacious tank setting. While conspecifics are generally not tolerated, once a pair forms, they often remain together for life. Acquiring juveniles in a group and allowing a pair to establish naturally is recommended, with vigilant monitoring to remove excess fish once pairing occurs.

Feeding and Diet

Being piscivorous by nature, the Five Star General can be trained to accept dead food alternatives. A diet primarily consisting of earthworms, prawn, mussel, cockle, and lancefish is suitable. While dried foods are also accepted, they should not be the staple diet.

Reproduction & Dimorphism

The Hemichromis Elongatus is a substrate-spawning species that forms monogamous pair bonds. To encourage breeding, conditioning them on a varied diet and providing appropriate spawning sites like large rocks are essential. Males are slightly larger and more colorful than females, developing extended dorsal and anal fins with maturity. Spawning involves the female laying eggs for fertilization by the male, with up to 800 eggs in a clutch. After hatching, the fry are cared for by both parents and should be removed after about a month.

Habitat and Distribution

This cichlid species is found in a variety of habitats, including rivers, tributaries, lakes, ponds, and occasionally in brackish waters in coastal regions. Hemichromis Elongatus is officially recorded in countries such as Guinea, Cameroon, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, with potential misidentifications or occurrences in additional regions.