Jaguar Cichlid (Parachromis managuensis)

Jaguar Cichlid Parachromis managuensis
Name	Jaguar Cichlid
Name Lat.	Parachromis managuensis
Synonym	Heros managuensis
Family	Cichlids
Family lat.	Cichlidae
Order	Cichlids
Order lat.	Cichliformes
Origin	Central America
Habitat	Rivers, lakes
Diet	Carnivore
pH	7.0-8.0
Behavior	Predatory, aggressive
Keeping	Pair
Care Level	Difficult
Reproduction	Substrate spawner
Breeding	Moderately difficult
Life Span	10-15 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	30-40 cm
Temperature	22-28 °C
Hardness	6-18 °dH
Aquarium	600 l
US Units
Size	12"-16"
Temperature	72-82 °F
Hardness	107-320 ppm
Aquarium	160 gal

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of the Managua cichlids is originally the Atlantic side of Central America, from the Rio Ulua in Honduras to the Rio Martina in Costa Rica. Today they are common in many countries of Central America as well as in Hawaii, the Philippines and Singapore. They live in lakes, but also in rivers with weak currents and muddy bottoms, with stones, roots and dead wood

Maintenance

The aquarium should have plenty of hiding places, with rocks, rock structures and roots, as well as plenty of swimming space. A deep, sandy substrate for burrowing and some subdued light (floating plants) is ideal.

No ammonia, ammonium or nitrite should be detectable, and the nitrate level should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.

Diet

The diet for these predatory fish consists of live or frozen foods, such as mysis, red mosquito larvae, krill, shrimp with shell and clam meat, or a commercial frozen special food mix for large cichlids, as well as earthworms or meal beetle larvae for adults. After acclimation, high-quality, protein-rich dry food for cichlids (pellets, granules) is also accepted.

Only as much should be fed as is eaten immediately (in a maximum of 10 minutes). Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.

Behaviour and compatibility

They are very aggressive cichlids, also intraspecific and behave extremely territorial not only at spawning time. Keeping several animals is only possible in a much larger and richly structured tank. They can only be socialized with larger and robust fish. Fish that are too small are considered prey.

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water quality and water temperature may be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

Males are larger, more intensely colored, and have longer, more pointed dorsal and anal fins.

Reproduction and breeding

Once a pair has formed, breeding is easy. However, it should be remembered that up to 3,000 fry can develop from one clutch

They spawn on shallow rocks or roots (open brooders). Both parents engage in intensive brood care (parental family) and vigorously defend the territory. After 2-3 days, the fry hatch and are then housed and guarded in a bottom pit until they swim freely after 5-7 days. The school of fry is guarded by the parents for some time.

Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (e.g. Artemia nauplii).

Important

They like to burrow, accordingly, need to secure stone structures. Plants should be placed in heavy pots and secured with stones against rooting, but planting is not necessary.

In nature they can grow up to 55 cm and are a popular food fish.

The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least fortnightly. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Werner Winter; Image: petdata

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF