Five Star General

About the Five Star General

The Five Star General (Hemichromis elongatus) is a species of cichlid from West Africa characterized by its coloration and aggressive nature. They have a base color of gray or silver with five distinct black spots along their sides, often surrounded by bronze or iridescent scales. These fish are known for their territorial and predatory behavior, making them a challenging species for community tanks if achievable. Often times up to 6 juveniles can be acquired until a pair forms, and the rest must be taken out of the tank as soon as possible.

Husbandry & Care

Temperament: Aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 40 Gallons

Water Temperature: 73-77 °F

Water pH: 6.5-7.5

Social Group: M/F Pair

Diet: Carnivorous; Earthworms, Chopped prawns, mussel, shrimp, tilapia. Supplement with frozen bloodworms, blackworms, spirulina.

Compatible with: Species-only tank, unless the aquarium is massive. Moderately aggressive, similarly sized cichlids would make effective tank mates with adequate aquarium size and hardscape.