Jaguar Cichlid Breeding Pair (6.5-8.5”)

Scientific Name:

Parachromis managuensis

Maximum Size and Lifespan (Breeding Pair):

• Males: Up to 24 inches (60 cm)

• Females: Typically 14–16 inches (35–40 cm)

• Lifespan: 10–15 years with optimal care

Recommended Aquarium Size (Breeding Pair):

• Minimum: 125-180 gallons (680 liters)

• Ideal Setup:

  • Large footprint (6 ft or longer tank) to allow territory separation

  • Multiple hiding places and visual barriers to reduce aggression

  • Heavy-duty lid (they can jump)

Water Changes and General Care:

• Temperature: 78–82°F (26–28°C) – warmer temps encourage breeding

• pH: 7.0–8.0

• Water Changes:

  • 30–50% weekly, especially when conditioning for or during breeding

  • Maintain excellent water quality to support fry survival

• Filtration:

  • Oversized canister filter or sump filtration (Make sure to have sponge cover over intake to prevent fry from getting sucked into filter)
    

  • Large sponge filters can also be used temporarily while fry are present

Tank Setup (Breeding):

• Substrate: Sand or fine gravel

• Spawning Sites:

  • Flat rocks, slate, overturned flower pots, or broad driftwood pieces

• Decor:

  • Large rocks and driftwood to create territory boundaries (The female will need a hide to escape the male when getting too aggresive!

  • Avoid live plants – often uprooted or destroyed

• Cover: Tank must be securely covered

Temperament and Tankmates (Breeding Conditions):

• Temperament: Extremely aggressive, especially during breeding

• Best Kept:

  • Alone

  • Tankmates: Strongly discouraged when breeding

  • If attempted, must be very large, fast, and resilient species in massive tanks (300+ gallons), but risk remains high

Diet (Conditioning and Breeding):

• Feeding Type: Carnivorous

• Staple Foods:

  • High-protein cichlid pellets (e.g., Hikari, Northfin)

• Conditioning Foods:

  • Frozen/thawed krill, shrimp, tilapia, silversides, bloodworms
    

  • Avoid feeder fish due to parasites

• Feeding Frequency: 2–3 times daily in smaller portions during breeding preparation

Breeding Behavior and Care:

• Spawning Behavior:

  • Courtship includes tail slapping, gill flaring, and cleaning of a spawning site

  • Female lays 500–2,000+ eggs; male guards the perimeter

• Egg Hatching:

  • Incubation: 3–5 days

  • Free-Swimming: 5–7 days post-hatching

• Parental Care:

  • Both parents fiercely guard eggs and fry

  • Fry are herded together and protected for weeks

• Fry Feeding:

  • Start with live baby brine shrimp then crushed flakes/pellets once larger

  • Frequent small feedings needed 3-5 times per daily

• Separate Grow-Out Tank: Recommended once fry are large enough to remove

Natural Environment:

• Origin: Central America – primarily Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua, and nearby rivers in Nicaragua, Honduras, and Costa Rica

• Habitat:

  • Warm, turbid lakes and slow-moving rivers

  • Sandy or muddy bottoms with submerged logs, rocks, and vegetation

• Ecological Role: Apex predator – feeds on smaller fish and invertebrates

Overview (Breeding Pair Focus):

A breeding pair of Jaguar Cichlids (Parachromis managuensis) can be a dynamic and rewarding project for experienced aquarists. Their aggressive and territorial nature requires a large, carefully structured aquarium, ideally with no tankmates. The breeding process is dramatic and intense—both parents are highly involved in egg and fry protection, but aggression (especially from males toward females) must be monitored closely.

Breeding success hinges on excellent water quality, proper nutrition, and thoughtful tank design. A bonded pair can produce large broods regularly under ideal conditions, offering aquarists a fascinating look into complex cichlid parental behaviors.