Scientific Name
Hemichromis elongatus

Common Name
Banded jewel cichlid

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 10. Diagnosis: 4-5 distinct blotches or ovoid bars along lateral mid-line (Ref. 44091, 81260), but bands not obvious in large males which assume a very dark to almost black coloration (Ref. 44091). Scales olive to yellow; series of thin red dots often forming horizontal lines along the mid-portion of flanks; normally 2 rows of teeth on upper jaw (Ref. 81260). Magenta spot on gill cover (Ref. 44091).

Classification

Classified By

Guichenot, 1861

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Cichlids (Cichlidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: Cameroon to the Republic of Congo, and the entire Congo River, Okavango and Zambesi system (Ref. 81260). Also reported from west Africa (Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Togo, Benin, Nigeria) (Ref. 43352, 81260), but this needs confirmation (Ref. 53405). Upper Zambezi and (some) Congo populations may represent a different species (Ref. 81260).

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

23 °C

Water Temperature To

25 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: ? - 7.0; dH range: ? - 15 benthopelagic

Trophic Level

3.65 s.e. 0.58 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

18.7 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5005 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries:

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (17 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)