Right now we have German offspring of Red Jewel Cichlids – probably Hemichromis guttatus – in stock, which have a very interesting history. They are descendants of wild catches from Hungary! In Hungary, more precisely in the Hévíz region, there is a thermal lake fed by natural hot springs. It is not known by whom and when, but Red Jewel Cichlids have been released there and they reproduce excellently here. Our breeder brought some animals from there in 2017, which is the origin of the strain we can offer now.
Originally these Red Jewel Cichlids come from Western Africa. However, there have been feral populations of Hemichromis guttatus in artificial and natural thermal waters in several places in Europe for over 40 years, e.g. near Villach in Austria, in the Gillbach near Cologne or in Hungary.
These red cichlids with their numerous blue spots (“Iriodophores”) are already very attractive in a neutral mood, but when they get excited – for example when defending their territory or caring for their brood – they turn a wonderful red and seem to glow from the inside out, fiery like the paprika in their Hungarian homeland!
For our customers: the animals have code 536412 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
