.............................Jaguar cichlid
Other names:...........Managuense, Managua Origin:......................Eastern Honduras, Lake Managua, Lake Nicaragua, Costa Rica Max size:..................12" PH:............-..............7.0-7.8 Temperature:...........73-77 F. Min tank size:..........60 gallons Food:.........................live foods, beef heart, worms, pellets |
The Jaguar cichlid is a top predator and can travel at a great speed.
Nearly all cichlids go through a color change when they get mature, and this
fish is no exeption. Young Jaguar cichlids are a dull silver with spots
running along the body. As it matures, it's dullness is even greater, until
suddenly, as it becomes sexually mature, things change. Drab blotches become
darker and darker, eventually turning black. The common name 'Jaguar
cichlid' comes from all the dark spots like on the jaguar cat. These spots
are less extreme in females. One endearing feature is its lower lip, which
often reveals two to four quite small, but prominent, incisor teeth.
Although this fish is a predator, it isn't acually as aggressive (usually)
as its size and mean looks would make you think. It will live in a big tank
with other large cichlids, but sometimes will not tolerate other cichlids
that are similar in color to the jaguar. However, any fish that is small
enough to fit into its mouth, should definetly not be kept in the same
aquarium with the Jaguar cichlid.
Keeping this fish in good health is quite easy. A sufficiently large
aquarium is essential; as a guide, it should be about five times the length
of the fish. Plenty of rock and caves and low lighting will help this fish
to settle down and feel at home. Although its natural food is live fish, the
jaguar can soon learn to take prepared food, such as prawns or raw fish
along with pelleted foods.
Sexing the Jaguar cichlid is quite easy, once it has 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.
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.
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