Learn & Explore/Species/Introduced & Invasive/Banded Jewel Cichlid
Banded Jewel Cichlid
Category: Invasive
An aggressive aquarium escapee that threatens native stream species in Hawaiʻi.
Banded Jewel Cichlid (Hemichromis elongatus)
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Fish with bronze scales and five dark bands running down the side 2
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Bands not obvious on large males 2
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Magenta spot on gill cover 2
Habitat
Freshwater fish typically found in shallow lakes and streams 1
Impacts & Concern
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Causes decline of indigenous fish species due to reduction in food sources and alteration of habitat 2
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Aggressive predator that feeds on small fish, insects, and shrimps 3
Introduction
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Most likely introduced to Hawaiʻi through aquarium release 3
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First observed on Oʻahu in 1990 and is considered established 2
Distribution in Hawai‘i
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Kauaʻi: Not documented
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O‘ahu: Present
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Molokaʻi: Not documented
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Lānaʻi: Not documented
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Maui: Not documented
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Hawaiʻi Island: Not documented
References
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Nico, L. (2021) Hemichromis elongatus (Guichenot in Duméril, 1861): U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=456
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Froese, R., Pauly, D. (2017) Hemichromis elongatus (Guichenot, 1861). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.us/summary/Hemichromis-elongatus.html.
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USFWS. (2018). Banded Jewel Cichlid Ecological Risk Screening Summary. US Fish and Wildlife Service. https://www.fws.gov/fisheries/ans/erss/uncertainrisk/ERSS-Hemichromis-elongatus-FINAL-August2018.pdf.
