The Hemichromis exsul, commonly known as the Turkana Jewel Cichlid, is a small freshwater cichlid native exclusively to Lake Turkana (formerly Lake Rudolf) in northern Kenya. Lake Turkana is the fourth largest rift lake in Africa and the largest desert lake in the world, with warm, mineral-rich and slightly saline water.
A compact, slender cichlid with a vivid ruby-red to peach-orange body covered in iridescent blue-green spots across the face, body and fins. The fins carry distinctive dark black edges, and there is a dark spot just behind the gill cover.
Unlike most other red jewel cichlids, it lacks the dark side spot. Males grow larger than females, reaching up to 10 centimetres, while females reach around 7.5 centimetres. Males also display more prominent blue speckling, while females tend to show a deeper, more intense orange-red colouration.
One of the less aggressive members of the jewel cichlid group, the Turkana Jewel is peaceful for an African cichlid outside of breeding. However, it remains territorial, and aggression peaks during spawning.
It is best kept as a pair in a species-only tank, or in a large, well-structured cichlid community with robust tank mates that share similar water requirements.
Provide plenty of rocks, caves and visual barriers to break up sightlines and reduce territorial disputes. In its natural habitat it lives among dark igneous rocks with no aquatic plants, so a rocky aquascape suits it well.
Diet
An omnivorous species that is an unfussy feeder in the aquarium. Offer a varied diet of high-quality cichlid pellets or flakes, supplemented with live and frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. Some vegetable matter is also beneficial — spirulina flakes or blanched spinach and courgette will help maintain health and colour. Quality and variety are key to keeping this species in top condition.
The Hemichromis exsul, commonly known as the Turkana Jewel Cichlid, is a small freshwater cichlid native exclusively to Lake Turkana (formerly Lake Rudolf) in northern Kenya. Lake Turkana is the fourth largest rift lake in Africa and the largest desert lake in the world, with warm, mineral-rich and slightly saline water.
A compact, slender cichlid with a vivid ruby-red to peach-orange body covered in iridescent blue-green spots across the face, body and fins. The fins carry distinctive dark black edges, and there is a dark spot just behind the gill cover.
Unlike most other red jewel cichlids, it lacks the dark side spot. Males grow larger than females, reaching up to 10 centimetres, while females reach around 7.5 centimetres. Males also display more prominent blue speckling, while females tend to show a deeper, more intense orange-red colouration.
One of the less aggressive members of the jewel cichlid group, the Turkana Jewel is peaceful for an African cichlid outside of breeding. However, it remains territorial, and aggression peaks during spawning.
It is best kept as a pair in a species-only tank, or in a large, well-structured cichlid community with robust tank mates that share similar water requirements.
Provide plenty of rocks, caves and visual barriers to break up sightlines and reduce territorial disputes. In its natural habitat it lives among dark igneous rocks with no aquatic plants, so a rocky aquascape suits it well.
Diet
An omnivorous species that is an unfussy feeder in the aquarium. Offer a varied diet of high-quality cichlid pellets or flakes, supplemented with live and frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. Some vegetable matter is also beneficial — spirulina flakes or blanched spinach and courgette will help maintain health and colour. Quality and variety are key to keeping this species in top condition.
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