Parachromis managuensis – Jaguar Guapote
Parachromis managuensis was first described by Günther in 1867 and has seen many names since then (see synonyms).
The name Parachromis can be divided into two parts: Para means ‘near’ (resembling) and Chromis is the old word for a cichlid. The species name managuensis is a reference to Lake Managua in Nicaragua. This species has two common names that are often used: Jaguar Guapote or Jaguar Cichlid.
Synonyms: Heros managuensis, Cichlasoma managuense, Herichthys managuense, Nandopsis managuense, Cichlasoma managueuse, Cichlosoma managuense, Parachromis gulosus.
Description
Parachromis managuensis is a very large cichlid that occurs in Nicaragua (the name means “from Manaqua” the capital of Nicaragua or “from Lake Manaqua”). In Nicaragua this fish is used as a consumption fish, in Europe, you will only find it in the aquarium. The adult males can grow to a good 55 centimetres, the females remain somewhat smaller.
Both the male and the female have a light ground colour with a black stripes/spots pattern all over the body. Sometimes a row of larger spots can be seen on the flank over the lateral line. During the breeding period, the ground colour of the male can change from light coloured to gold/yellow. Parachromis managuensis then becomes darker in its entirety. The large black dots on the flank can then turn into vertical black stripes.
Parachromis managuensis, also called Jaguar Cichlid, is the most traded species of the Parachromis. This is a large and aggressive cichlid that is highly territorial. It is therefore recommended to keep these fish separate when they start breeding, as they then become too aggressive towards the other species, this applies to all fish of the Parachromis genus. The aggression seems to be not so bad at some points but from time to time they can go crazy and attack other species for no real reason. Especially when they want to mate.
Biotope
In the wild, Parachromis managuensis occurs from the Ulua River in Honduras down Nicaragua to the Matina River in Costa Rica. They inhabit a very varied number of bodies of water there. The clear rivers and lakes are populated as well as the turbid lakes with soft substrates. They prefer warmer waters with a low oxygen level.
Unfortunately, they have also been released by humans into waters where they do not occur naturally such as the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Cuba Guatemala, Panama and the United States.
Diet
In the wild, this hunter has a diet consisting mainly of small fish and large invertebrates such as shrimp, worms and insects. In the aquarium, it is necessary to feed them alternately to keep them healthy. Jaguar Cichlids are generally not very picky about their food. Both dry food and frozen food are eaten. If you really want to keep them healthy and happy, give them live food every now and then in the form of feeder fish such as guppies.
The Aquarium
Due to its size, it may be clear that a small aquarium is not enough. I see a recommended 200cm aquarium here and there but really wonder if that is enough. In my opinion, an aquarium for these large animals starts at about 300 centimetres. Set up the aquarium with sand on the bottom. They like to dig in the sand, so make sure everything is well secured. You can further decorate the aquarium with large pieces of wood. In any case, make sure that the lines of sight are interrupted here and there so that a female can escape the male’s view. Make sure that there are enough hiding places for her. You can also place some large flat rocks here and there, they will probably use them to lay eggs. Make sure that you do not stack the rocks or fix them very well, these are large fish that sometimes have their own ideas about setting up an aquarium. Stacked stones run the risk of being knocked over.
In the wild, they live in reasonably warm water of about 25 to 36 degrees. I wouldn’t let it get that hot in the aquarium because any other inhabitants can’t always stand it. In any case, make sure you have good filtration, they can dig quite a bit in the soil and, given the diet, they also produce some waste.
Breeding Parachromis managuensis – Jaguar Guapote
Provide a spacious aquarium, if the parents are well fed, they will automatically provide offspring. They are open substrate brooders and can lay and fertilize about 1000 eggs or more, they do this on a clean polished stone. The female defends the clutch and the young, the male defends the territory against intruders. After 3 days the eggs hatch, and after about a week the fry are free-swimming. The fry can be raised with brine shrimp nauplii, cyclops, daphnia or crushed dry food.
Video
Author
John de Lange – Coby
Copyright images
Bruce Vandeweghe
John de Lange
