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Jaguar cichlid is one of the most aggressive fish pets. In this article, learn about jaguar cichlid care, identifying male and female jaguar cichlids, breeding tips, best food for jaguars, teeth, tank size and suitable jaguar tank mates. Also find out the growth rate and where to get jaguar cichlids for sale below.
Jaguar cichlids make the list of fish pets called cichlids. There are quite many types of cichlids, and the jaguar is one of those that are of aggressive temperament. Before keeping this pet, you need to prepare the tank appropriately for breeding, easy care, growth and even feeding.
Below, we will discuss the profile of the jaguar to help you find out the best fish tank size for the jaguar, how to breed it, how to distinguish males from females, where to find jaguar cichlid for sale and at what price, and finally the best tank mates for this pet.
Female Jaguar Cichlid – Characteristics
The female jaguar cichlid is typically smaller in size compared to the male. Mostly, the females stay lower in the aquarium while the males higher up. You will almost always find the female jaguar about 1 foot below the average height the male swims.
Most people find it difficult to distinguish the female jaguar cichlids from the males, but in a general sense, the female fish is about 19 inches, but it will be of any length between 16 inches and 22 inches. Unlike other cichlids, such as yellow cichlids and green cichlids, the difference in length between the male cichlids and females is very slight.
Male Jaguar Cichlid – Features
Male jaguar cichlid fish is bigger than the female counterpart. The male jaguar growth rate is generally higher than that of the female. With keen observation, you will notice that the male one grows and develops anal and dorsal fins that are longer and more pointed.
Although all jaguars have characteristic gold and bronze scales with some black marks in them, the male jaguar pets have a visibly more intense coloring. Like any other cichlids, such as the blue cichlids and red cichlids, it is notable that male jaguar cichlids have a more intense coloring on their bodies, especially when they are the dominant ones in the aquarium. Another important difference is that during spawning and breeding, the males are even more aggressive.
Jaguar Cichlid Care – Tank Size, Breeding, Food and Diet Tips
Caring for jaguars is quite different from other cichlid fish pets. You have to be careful with the tank size, the appropriate food and even breeding.
Jaguar cichlid food and Diet: The fish are carnivorous and sometimes exhibit predatory behaviors towards other smaller fish. They feed mainly on smaller fish such as gold fish, but you can feed them meaty foods such as live ghost shrimp, frozen ghost shrimp, blackworms, bloodworms, minnows, mealworms, crickets, small frogs, and crayfish. You can also feed them cichlid pellets. This fish can eat almost anything and everything they can catch, including birds.
Tank Size for Jaguar Cichlids: The best tank size for this aggressive fish is at least 125 gallon, which is the optimum size for a single jaguar. Ensure you have the best water conditions, specifically the pH of 6 to 8. For breeding purposes, provide a fish tank at least 180 gallons. A bigger aquarium is much preferred.
Breeding Jaguar Cichlids: Provide the couple of jaguars with their own isolated aquarium or fish tank for breeding purposes. During the breeding, they become extremely vicious and dangerous. At about the size of 4 inches, the female is sexually mature and can breed. The male has typical black specks in the golden background and is larger than the female. Provide ample environment for breeding because the fish will attack even you if you move close to the fry.
Jaguar Cichlid Tank Mates
Finding tank mates for the jaguar cichlid can be a difficult task. Different aquarists have different experiences with tank mates. Since the fish is aggressive, it is highly recommended that you only keep males and females as tank mates and not any other species of pet fish.
However, if the tank is big enough, say 100 gallon fish tank, you can choose to keep relatively bigger jaguar cichlid tank mates. Some people have suggested the tank mates listed below as good companions, even though it is advised that you stick to having a bigger fish tank.
- Red Devil
- Terror cichlid
- Oscars with moderate aggression
- Synodontis catfish
- Motoro Stingray
One of the major limiting factors when it comes to choosing the tank mates for jaguars is the jaguar cichlids growth rate. For instance, it is known that the green terror cichlid can make a suitable or good tank mate for the jaguar, but it is almost impossible to keep up with the growth spurts of the jaguar. If you put them in the same tank, they the jaguar is likely to outgrow the terror and kill it with time.
Jaguar Cichlid Teeth
One of the amazing things about jaguar cichlids is that they have powerful teeth. The fish is very agile and quick with its movement. This contributes to their aggression and typical dominance in their aquariums. The jaguar cichlid teeth are powerful teeth of all the other cichlid fish. This makes them even fierce and destructive when they attack something in their aquarium. The canine like tooth is almost visible since it is at the front. Some people have complained that the jaguar teeth kill other species such as the Peacock Bass Cichlid at one go.
Jaguar Cichlid for Sale and Jaguar Cichlid Price
Are you looking for jaguar cichlids for sale? Do you want to know the price of jaguar fish? Well, the price will vary depending on the size and age of the fish, but you can buy them form aquariums and sites such as LiveAqua that sell at low prices.
Which tank mates have you tried with jaguar cichlid fish? Leave your reply below.
