Jaguar Cichlid is a large fish native to Central America, living in freshwater habitats from Honduras to Costa Rica.
Its scientific name comes from Lake Managua in Nicaragua, where the first specie was found. This fish serves as both food and a popular choice for aquariums.
Jaguar Cichlid has many other names like Jaguar Guapote, Managuense Cichlid, Managua Cichlid, Aztec Cichlid, and Spotted Guapote. In Costa Rica, it’s called Guapote Tigre.
This fish likes lakes with cloudy water and muddy bottoms that are rich in nutrients. It’s also found in springs and ponds with detritus (dead plants) and sandy floors.
Jaguar Cichlids often live in very warm lakes with low oxygen levels. They are predatory fish that eat mainly small fish and large invertebrates.
Jaguar Cichlid Interesting Facts
- Jaguar Cichlids are large, tropical fish native to Central America and grow up to 21.7 inches (55.0 centimeters) long.
- They prefer warm, cloudy freshwater habitats with low oxygen levels and sandy or muddy bottoms.
- These predators mainly eat small fish and large invertebrates, laying up to 5000 eggs at a time.
Jaguar Cichlid Habitat
Jaguar Cichlid is from Central America, specifically the Atlantic side, between Honduras’ Ulua River and Costa Rica’s Matina River.
It lives in freshwater and swims near the bottom (benthopelagic). This fish prefers a pH range of 7.0 to 8.7 and water hardness (dH) of 10 to 15.
Jaguar Cichlids are usually found at depths of 3 to 10 meters (9 to 33 feet).
They enjoy temperatures between 77°F to 97°F (25°C to 36°C) and are tropical fish, typically living between latitudes of 37°N to 9°N.
| Water Temperature: | 77°F to 97°F (25°C to 36°C) |
| Water pH: | 7.0 to 8.7 pH |
| Water Hardness: | 10 to 15 dH |
Jaguar Cichlid Physical Characteristics
Size: 21.7 inches (55.0 centimeters)
Jaguar Cichlid grows up to 21.7 inches (55.0 centimeters) long and weighs up to 1.6 kg. It has 17 to 18 dorsal spines, 10 to 11 dorsal soft rays, 6 to 8 anal spines, and 11 to 12 anal soft rays.
Jaguar Cichlid is known for its large mouth with a protruding lower jaw and big canine teeth. It has black spots on its fins and body, as well as black stripes near the eye area.
The preopercle (a bone near the gills) is enlarged at the angle, which sets it apart from other species in its genus.
Its body color ranges from silvery or golden-green to purple with a moss-green back and purple-iridescent sides. Its belly is whitish or yellowish.
The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins have black spots with white, yellow, or blue spaces between them; there’s also a black blotch at the base of the tail fin.
When breeding, female Jaguar Cichlids develop a more intense crimson color around their gill cover.
Jaguar Cichlid Reproduction
Jaguar Guapotes lay eggs in batches and are considered valuable as food. They can lay up to 5000 eggs on rocks and other hard surfaces.
Both parents protect the eggs and baby fish. Some reports say they can lay even more eggs – up to a staggering 10496.
Jaguar Cichlid Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cichliformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Genus: | Parachromis |
| Scientific Name: | Parachromis managuensis |
| Also Known As: | Jaguar Cichlid, Jaguar Guapote, Managuense Cichlid, Managua Cichlid, Aztec Cichlid, Spotted Guapote, Guapote Tigre |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |