Herichthys managuensis, commonly known as the Jaguar Cichlid, is a large, aggressive, and striking freshwater fish native to Central America, particularly Honduras and Nicaragua. It is a popular species among experienced aquarists due to its bold personality and impressive appearance.
-
Common Names: Jaguar Cichlid, Managuense Cichlid
-
Size: Up to 16” (40 cm), with males typically larger than females
-
Lifespan: 10–15 years with proper care
-
Coloration: Juveniles are pale with dark spots, but adults develop a distinctive jaguar-like black pattern over a golden or silver background
-
Temperament: Highly territorial and aggressive, especially during breeding
-
Tank Size: Minimum 100 gallons for a single adult; more for pairs or community setups
-
Water Parameters:
-
Temp: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
-
pH: 7.0–8.7
-
Hardness: Medium to hard
-
Carnivorous in nature. Feed them high-quality pellets, live or frozen foods like shrimp, fish, worms, and even crickets. Avoid feeder fish unless quarantined, as they can introduce disease.
They are intelligent and interactive with owners but aggressive toward tankmates. Best kept alone or with similarly sized, tough fish in very large tanks.
Breeding is relatively easy if a compatible pair is formed. They are substrate spawners and become extremely protective of their eggs and fry.
-
Provide hiding spots with rocks and driftwood.
-
Regular water changes are critical due to their high bioload.
-
Not suitable for community tanks with small or docile species.
| Size |
2" |
|---|
