Red Forest Jewels have some of the most intense, red coloration that can be seen within any natural, freshwater Cichlid species. They are native to acidic streams and rivers of Central Africa (Congo and Ubangi tributaries) and have iridescent green to blue spotting on a bright red base coloration; they also have a black, lateral spot as well as a black, ocellus spot on their operculum. As juveniles, the species may exhibit a black caudal spot, but it will vanish as the fish matures. Red Forest Jewels have translucent fins with the same color markings as their bodies and although the females will usually have much brighter colours, the males of the species will grow to be larger.