Post by ctfishguy on Sept 10, 2005 11:31:38 GMT -5
Common name or synonym: Jaguar cichlid
Scientific Name: Parachromis managuense, or Herichthys managuensis (its been changing back and forth)
Origin: Eastern Honduras, Lake Managua, Lake Nicaragua, Costa Rica
Max size: 12" (some larger)
PH: 7.0-7.8
Temperature: 73-77F
Min tank size: 60 Gallons (Later a 180 needed)
Food: live foods, beef heart, worms, pellets
General Info: Jaguar cichlids grow rather fast till they reach 6 inches. After that point, the growth rate slows down a little bit. Some can reach up to 2 feet in length. They can get very large and need a tank thats at least 180 gallons in size!
BUT, new aquarists keep them in smaller tanks and many don't even get to 12 inches because of getting their growth stunted. Jaguar Cichlids are greenish gold based fish that have darker spots and stripes on the body, and they also can get iridescent blue highlights on the tail and dorsal fin.
Although this fish is a predator, it isn't acually as aggressive (usually).
Breeding:
Jaguar cichlids aren't that hard to breed providing you can find a pair. They are quite hard to come by. Once a mated pair is found then keep them alone. They will kill any other tankmates, jaguar cichlids make excellent parents. Jaguar cichlids spawn in caves in the wild, but will settle for a flat rock in the aquarium. The female lays about 2000-3000 eggs and the parents protect them. The eggs hatch after three days and the fry are free swimming five days after that. At this point, the aquarist must cull the fry dramatically if any specimens are to grow at a proper rate and attain their full adult size.
Sexing: Sexing the Jaguar cichlid is easy, once its attained a total length of about five inches or more. At this stage, males become very aggressive towards other fish that they feel are a threat. Females are far less colorful and if fed well, are much plumper.
Scientific Name: Parachromis managuense, or Herichthys managuensis (its been changing back and forth)
Origin: Eastern Honduras, Lake Managua, Lake Nicaragua, Costa Rica
Max size: 12" (some larger)
PH: 7.0-7.8
Temperature: 73-77F
Min tank size: 60 Gallons (Later a 180 needed)
Food: live foods, beef heart, worms, pellets
General Info: Jaguar cichlids grow rather fast till they reach 6 inches. After that point, the growth rate slows down a little bit. Some can reach up to 2 feet in length. They can get very large and need a tank thats at least 180 gallons in size!
BUT, new aquarists keep them in smaller tanks and many don't even get to 12 inches because of getting their growth stunted. Jaguar Cichlids are greenish gold based fish that have darker spots and stripes on the body, and they also can get iridescent blue highlights on the tail and dorsal fin. Although this fish is a predator, it isn't acually as aggressive (usually).
Breeding:
Jaguar cichlids aren't that hard to breed providing you can find a pair. They are quite hard to come by. Once a mated pair is found then keep them alone. They will kill any other tankmates, jaguar cichlids make excellent parents. Jaguar cichlids spawn in caves in the wild, but will settle for a flat rock in the aquarium. The female lays about 2000-3000 eggs and the parents protect them. The eggs hatch after three days and the fry are free swimming five days after that. At this point, the aquarist must cull the fry dramatically if any specimens are to grow at a proper rate and attain their full adult size.
Sexing: Sexing the Jaguar cichlid is easy, once its attained a total length of about five inches or more. At this stage, males become very aggressive towards other fish that they feel are a threat. Females are far less colorful and if fed well, are much plumper.