🐟 Jaguar Cichlid – (Parachromis managuensis) – Aggressive Central American Cichlid

The Jaguar Cichlid, also called the Managuense Cichlid, is a large predatory cichlid from Central America. Recognized for its jaguar-like black spots over a silver body, it’s a bold, aggressive species best for experienced aquarists with large aquariums and strong filtration.

🔎 Quick Facts

📛 Common Names: Jaguar Cichlid, Managuense Cichlid
🔬 Scientific Name: Parachromis managuensis
🌍 Origin: Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica
📏 Size: 14–16 inches (35–40 cm)
⏳ Lifespan: Up to 15 years
😈 Temperament: Aggressive, territorial, predatory

😇 Behavior & Temperament

⚔️ Highly aggressive, especially when breeding
🐟 Best housed alone or with other large, robust cichlids
🦐 Predatory – will eat small fish, shrimp, and inverts
🏊 Active swimmers, constantly patrolling territory

🏠 Tank Requirements

📦 Minimum Tank Size: 125+ gallons for a single adult
🪵 Décor: Rocks, driftwood, sturdy caves
🏖️ Substrate: Sand or fine gravel
💡 Lighting: Moderate
💨 Filtration: Heavy-duty, high-capacity (messy eaters)

💧 Water Parameters

🌡️ Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
⚖️ pH: 7.0–8.7
💎 Hardness: 10–15 dGH

🍽️ Diet

🥩 Diet Type: Carnivore / predator
🍤 Foods: High-quality cichlid pellets, frozen fish, shrimp, krill
🚫 Avoid: Feeder fish (risk of parasites & disease)

🐣 Breeding

💑 Form monogamous pairs
🥚 Female lays eggs on flat rock or cave surfaces
👩‍👩‍👦 Both parents fiercely guard eggs & fry
⚔️ Extreme aggression during breeding period

✅ The Jaguar Cichlid is one of the most popular Central American cichlids for advanced hobbyists. Its large size, jaguar-like markings, and bold personality make it a true showpiece for predator aquariums.

📊 Jaguar Cichlid Overview

Feature	Details
📛 Common Name	Jaguar Cichlid, Managuense Cichlid
🔬 Scientific Name	Parachromis managuensis
🌍 Origin	Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica
📏 Size	14–16 inches (35–40 cm)
⏳ Lifespan	Up to 15 years
😈 Temperament	Aggressive, territorial, predatory
🏠 Tank Size	125+ gallons
💧 Water Range	75–82°F, pH 7.0–8.7, Hardness 10–15 dGH
🍽️ Diet	Carnivore – pellets, shrimp, krill, fish

📌 SEO Snippet

The Jaguar Cichlid (Parachromis managuensis) is a large, aggressive Central American cichlid with jaguar-like spots. Growing up to 16 inches, it thrives in 125+ gallon aquariums with strong filtration and a protein-rich carnivorous diet. A bold predatory fish, it is best suited for experienced aquarists looking for a dramatic showpiece in large predator tanks.