Neocaridina Red Rili Shrimp freshwater fish for sale - Legacy Line Aquatics LLC

Turkana Jewel Cichlid (Rubricatochromis exsul)

$12.99

Turkana Jewel Cichlid (Rubricatochromis exsul)

Name: Turkana Jewel Cichlid (Rubricatochromis exsul)
Brand: Legacy Line Aquatics LLC
Price: 12.99 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

$12.99

Turkana Jewel Cichlids are colorful African cichlids native to Lake Turkana in Kenya. Adults develop deep red to orange-red coloration covered with iridescent blue spotting, with their most intense colors appearing during courtship and spawning.

Formerly classified as Hemichromis exsul, the currently accepted name is Rubricatochromis exsul. They are smaller and generally more manageable than many traditional Jewel Cichlids, but an established breeding pair will still defend its territory aggressively.

These fish form pairs and spawn on flat rocks or other open surfaces. Both parents protect the eggs and care for the developing fry.

Why Hobbyists Love Turkana Jewel Cichlids

Brilliant red coloration with iridescent blue spotting
Smaller and more manageable than many Jewel Cichlids
Interactive behavior and strong pair bonds
Fascinating spawning and parental-care behavior
Well suited to hard, alkaline water
Uncommon enough to be distinctive without being difficult to recognize or market

What You’re Getting from Legacy Line Aquatics

Clean systems
Proper feeding, with a mixture of high-quality cichlid pellets, frozen brine shrimp, frozen bloodworms, live baby brine shrimp, and other quality foods
Parasite free

Adult Size: Females approximately 3 inches; males up to approximately 4 inches
Temperament: Semi-aggressive; highly territorial when breeding
Difficulty: Intermediate
Lifespan: Approximately 6–8 years
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons for an established pair; 40-gallon breeder preferred
Temperature: 76–82°F

Temperament & Behavior

Turkana Jewel Cichlids are active, intelligent, and generally considered one of the more manageable Jewel Cichlids. Outside of breeding, they can be moderately territorial without displaying the extreme aggression associated with some larger Jewel species.

Their temperament changes considerably once a pair forms and begins spawning. Both parents defend the spawning site, eggs, and free-swimming fry. A structured aquarium with separate territories and broken lines of sight is important, especially when raising a juvenile group and allowing pairs to form.

Juveniles can initially be raised together, but unpaired fish may need to be removed once a dominant pair becomes established.

Feeding

These fish thrive on a varied omnivorous diet. A rotation of quality prepared, frozen, and live foods helps support healthy growth, intense coloration, conditioning, and breeding response.

Avoid relying too heavily on bloodworms or other rich foods. Variety and appropriate portion sizes are more important than feeding large quantities.

Recommended foods:

High-quality cichlid pellets
Appropriately sized sinking or slowly sinking pellets
Insect-based pellets or granules
Frozen brine shrimp
Frozen mysis shrimp
Frozen bloodworms as occasional treats
Live baby brine shrimp
Quality flakes containing some vegetable matter

They do best in tanks with:

Fine sand or smooth gravel
Stable dark rocks and rocky cave structures
Flat slate or smooth spawning stones
Driftwood and visual barriers
Several separate hiding areas
Open swimming space
Moderate water movement
Strong filtration and oxygenation
Hard, alkaline water around pH 7.5–8.5
Hardy plants only, since spawning fish may dig or uproot delicate plants

Tank Size (Recommended)

Established adult pair: 30 gallons minimum
Breeding pair: 40-gallon breeder recommended
Juvenile group of four to six while pairs form: 40-gallon breeder or larger, with a separation plan ready
Community setup: 55 gallons or larger
Multiple adult pairs: A substantially larger, heavily structured aquarium is required and success is not guaranteed

Water Temperature

Ideal range: 76–82°F
Approximately 78–80°F is an excellent general maintenance and breeding range
A stable temperature is more important than chasing one exact number

Tank Mates (Good Choices)

A species-focused aquarium containing one established pair is the safest long-term setup. Tank mates are possible in a sufficiently large aquarium, but they must be robust enough to avoid intimidation while not being so aggressive that they constantly challenge the Jewel Cichlids.

Good tank mates may include:

Active upper- and midwater fish:

Boesemani Rainbowfish
Turquoise Rainbowfish
Giant Danios
Larger Swordtails
Other similarly sized, active fish suited to hard water

Compatible cichlids in larger aquariums:

Rainbow Cichlids
Firemouth Cichlids
Blue Acara
Other comparably sized and moderately territorial cichlids

Compatible catfish:

Appropriately sized Synodontis
Medium-sized plecos when sufficient bottom territory is available

Avoid:

Other Jewel Cichlid species because of aggression and possible hybridization
Tiny fish that may be viewed as prey
Slow, timid, or long-finned fish
Hyper-aggressive cichlids
Bottom dwellers that repeatedly enter the spawning territory
Keeping unpaired fish with an established breeding pair
Attempting to maintain two adult pairs in a small aquarium
Delicate plants that cannot tolerate digging

Local Delivery

Delivery is available within an 80-mile maximum distance from Owensboro, Kentucky.
$150 minimum order is required for delivery
$25 delivery fee applies

Local Meet-Up

Local meet-up is available.
After order we will contact you by email, or through Facebook or Instagram Messenger.
We will arrange a date, time, and public location to meet.

Shipping & Live Arrival

Live fish are shipped Monday–Wednesday (weather permitting) to reduce transit risk. Please review our How Shipping Works page and DOA Policy before ordering.