Is his a jewel cichlid

[MelissaRoberts]

hey guys just wondering what you thought about this fish.

 

[Andrewtfw]

That is one type of hemichromis (Jewel). There are many types. Some of the more common ones found in pet stores are likely hybrids of other similar types of jewels. Hemichromis are found in West Africa.

 

[MelissaRoberts]

I caught it in a ditch in my back yard.

 

[b considine]

There are feral ones. When I first joined the Greater Washington Aquatic Plant Association, a couple members had some jewel cichlids they'd collected in Florida.

Blaise

 

[MelissaRoberts]

We got them in a creek in are back yard.

 

[b considine]

And they caught theirs in a ditch behind a shopping center, if I remember the story.

Bottom line is: some got loose or were released and Florida has what they like. So they've thrived as an invasive species.

Blaise