Sexual dimorphism is limited, though male jewel cichlids are typically more brightly coloured and in some species have more pointed anal, ventral and dorsal fins.

Hemichromis species typically form monogamous breeding pairs and the female spawns on a flat surface such as a leaf or stone.

[6] For example, H. faciatus of the Nile basin and those in West Africa may belong to separate species,[7] but H. frempongi of Lake Bosumtwi might be a synonym of H.

[5] H. saharae was generally considered a synonym of H. letourneuxi until 2014 where a genetic study confirmed its distinction,[9] although some have opted to retain the two as a single species.

[8] The taxonomic confusion in this genus has been further complicated by fish in the aquarium trade, where there have been frequent misidentification, hybridization between species and selective breeding.

Their innate aggression makes them good candidates for keeping in a monospecies aquarium, however this depends on a number of factors similar to all tropical cichlid fish; swimming and territory space, other aquatic inhabitants, diet and feeding frequency and tank layout.