Edit Hemichromis elongatus
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Name
Scientific name
Hemichromis elongatus
Described by
Not recorded
Family
Cichlidae
Common names
Five Star General
Photograph credits
All 2 credited
Summary
The five star general, Hemichromis elongatus, is a highly aggressive cichlid recorded from Guinea, Cameroon, Angola, Namibia, Botswana and …
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
150mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Not recorded
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 22–25°C, pH 6.5–7.5
Hardness
5–15dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Predatory
Social needs
A pair
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Namibia, Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Writing
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
Officially recorded from Guinea, Cameroon, Angola, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Given the patchy nature of this distribution, it would seem that the species…
Habitat
Inhabits a range of biotopes, incuding rivers, tributaries, lakes and ponds. In some coastal areas it's known to enter brackish waters.
Aquarium size
A 48" x 12" x 12" (120x30x30cm) - 110 litre tank is just about suitable for a single fish or pair.
Maintenance
Decorate the tank with plenty of twisted roots and branches to provide hiding places and cover. Rocks or clay flowerpots can also be used. The species tends to…
Water conditions
Temperature: 22 – 25 °C pH: 6.5-7.5 Hardness: 5-15°H
Diet
Piscivorous by nature but it can easily be trained to accept dead alternatives. Offer meaty foods such as earthworms, prawn, mussel, cockle and lancefish. Drie…
Behaviour and compatibility
Highly aggressive and piscivorous. It will eat any fish it can fit into its mouth, and usually batter any it can't. It's best kept in a species tank unless the…
Sexual dimorphism
Males tend to be slightly larger and more colourful than females. They also develop extended dorsal and anal fins as they mature.
Reproduction
It's a substrate spawning species that forms monogamous pair bonds. The best way to obtain a pair is described above. The fish should be kept in a species setu…
Notes
A real bruiser of a cichlid, H. elongatus is not seen for sale very often, and with good reason. Pound for pound it must rank as one of the most aggressive cic…
References
References
No references