Pineapple jewel (pair)

Hemichromis lifalili, commonly sold as the Pineapple Jewel Cichlid, is a colorful West African cichlid known for its golden-yellow body covered with shimmering blue-green spots. It is less common than the Red Jewel Cichlid but shares similar behavior and care requirements.

Quick Facts

• Scientific name: Hemichromis lifalili (commonly associated with the Pineapple Jewel trade name)
• Common name: Pineapple Jewel Cichlid
• Origin: West Africa
• Adult size: 10–13 cm (4–5 inches)
• Lifespan: 5–8 years
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Temperament: Territorial and aggressive, especially when breeding

Appearance

• Bright golden-yellow to orange body resembling the color of a pineapple.
• Iridescent blue-green spots on the body and fins.
• During breeding, the body becomes deeper orange-red with more intense iridescence.
• Males are generally larger with longer fins, while females often develop brighter breeding colors.

Ideal Water Parameters

• Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)
• pH: 6.5–7.8
• Hardness: 5–20 dGH

Aquarium Setup

• Minimum tank size: 150 liters (40 gallons) for a pair
• Sand or fine gravel substrate
• Plenty of rocks, caves, and driftwood to establish territories
• Hardy plants such as Java Fern and Anubias attached to wood or rocks
• Strong biological filtration and regular water changes

Diet

An omnivore that thrives on a varied diet:

• High-quality cichlid pellets
• Frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and krill
• Live foods occasionally
• Spirulina flakes or vegetable-based foods as a supplement

Tank Mates

Suitable tank mates (only in spacious aquariums):

• Medium-sized robust African cichlids
• Larger rainbowfish
• Synodontis catfish

Avoid:

• Small community fish (tetras, guppies, rasboras)
• Slow-moving or long-finned fish
• Other jewel cichlids unless the aquarium is very large

Breeding

• Open-substrate spawner.
• Lays 100–300 eggs on a flat rock or similar surface.
• Both parents guard the eggs and fry aggressively.
• Eggs hatch in 2–3 days.
• Fry become free-swimming after 5–7 days.

Care Tips

• Keep only a compatible pair unless the aquarium is very large.
• Rearrange decorations if introducing new fish to reduce territorial aggression.
• Perform weekly 25–30% water changes to maintain water quality.
• Provide plenty of hiding places to reduce stress.

Overall, the Pineapple Jewel Cichlid is an attractive choice for aquarists who enjoy colorful African cichlids with fascinating parental care. However, because of its territorial nature, it is best suited to a species tank or a carefully planned aquarium with other robust fish.