Care
The Jaguar Cichlid has a widespread distribution across eastern Central America, from the Ulua River in Honduras, through Nicaragua, and on to the Matina River in Costa Rica. Here it is found in a variety of different habitats, preferring the turbid waters of highly eutrophic lakes with muddy substrates, but is also found in ponds and springs. The Jaguar Cichlid is a highly predatory species which feeds mainly on small fishes and macroinvertebrates. As it grows very large (length and girth), a voluminous aquarium is required with powerful filtration to match. Provide a substrate of soft sand or small rounded gravel. Sizeable pieces of driftwood and rocks/slate can be used to create sheltered areas, but these should be made secure as these cichlids are more than capable of moving décor around. Bonding pieces of rock together with aquarium grade silicon sealant prior to filling the tank is sensible. Robust planting such as Anubias sp. and Java Fern cultivated on the wood (rooted plants will be dug up) can be used to create further shady hiding places. Partial water changes should be carried out on a frequent basis to help keep nitrate to a minimum. This is a highly aggressive species which is best maintained singly or as an established male-female pair. They are intolerant of their own kind, but can usually be combined with other robust cichlids, if the aquarium is particularly spacious and has a plethora of visual barriers. Tankmates could include other Central/South American cichlids of a similar size and temperament, or large armoured catfish. However, if breeding does occur, expect a huge amount of aggression directed towards the other fish and be prepared to move the tankmates to another aquarium for their own safety. Sometimes the male can be very persistent when wanting to breed, and if the female is not receptive, he may harm her. So always observe carefully and have a tank divider on hand, should the need arise to separate an overly amorous male from his female. Ensure the aquarium has a tight fitting hood that is weighted down, as these heavyset fish are expert jumpers. May also be seen on sale as the Aztec Cichlid, Jaguar Guapote, or Managuense Cichlid.
Feeding
Offer a variety of meaty frozen foods. Smaller specimens will take white mosquito larvae, bloodworm, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, and Mysis shrimp, whilst larger fish will take krill, prawns, crayfish meat, lancefish, silversides, whitebait etc. Good quality and appropriately sized cichlid pellets should also be provided.
Breeding
Prior to spawning, the pair will begin cleaning a potential spawning site, such as a flat piece of slate. Up to 6000 (six thousand) eggs will be laid/fertilised, and these can be expected to hatch within 72 hours. The parents will then move the wrigglers to a pre-dug pit. They will become free-swimming after a further few days when their yolk sacs are used up (at this point they can be offered baby brineshrimp or crushed flake). Parental care usually continues for around 6 weeks. Please be aware that a bonded pair may reproduce on a regular basis, and always in exceptionally large numbers. Therefore, it is important to consider whether you should really allow this species to reproduce in the home aquarium, and should have a homing plan in place for the potentially hundreds, if not thousands, of juvenile fish (that are going to attain a substantial size), which are going to quickly overwhelm an aquarium.
