The largest representative of the genus Cichlids is the jaguar cichlid, or the predatory managuan cichloma. The maintenance of such a giant requires certain skills and the availability of space to accommodate the aquarium, but the beauty of this magnificent fish is worth it to endure its steep burrows.
Description and gender differences
For experienced aquarists, a good choice would be the Managuan cichlazoma, reviews of which characterize it as unsuitable for beginners due to increased aggression and requiring some effort and high cost. As a rule, jaguars acquire because of their spectacular appearance: this cichlid reaches 35-40 cm in length and has an elongated oval body with a catchy spotty color. The average life expectancy of this giant is 15-20 years with proper care.
Throughout life, the color of the Managuans changes: the older the fish becomes, the brighter and more saturated the color of its spots becomes (in fry, these are stripes from which small "blots" gradually form). However, closer to old age, the cichlid turns pale again until the marks on its body disappear altogether. It should be noted that males always differ in larger sizes and a pointed line of fins.
Features of the content of adult cichlazoma
Like any extremely aggressive territorial fish, a jaguar requires a large aquarium - approximately 80-100 liters per individual. If the breeder plans to purchase and grow two representatives of the species, then the displacement of the tank for their maintenance starts from 300 liters to reduce the risk of hassles. Decorating your home with cichlases is better with large elements like stones, shells and snags. There is no need for live rooting plants, since these giants will destroy them in less than a day due to the tendency to "transform" the landscape. In other words, cichlids are very fond of dragging stones at the bottom, raising turbidity and digging up any greenery. To avoid water pollution in the aquarium, coarse gravel is recommended as soil. It is more difficult to move from place to place, because the scale of the "destruction" of the aesthetic visual component will be an order of magnitude smaller.
In the natural habitat, the Managuan cichlazoma lives at a temperature of +15 to +30 degrees Celsius. Fans of this species note that the warmer the water in the aquarium, the more aggressive the "jaguars" become. However, for home maintenance, the optimal "room" temperature is from +24 to +26 degrees. The remaining parameters are as follows: pH 7.0 and 10-22 dGH (water hardness) and dim light. The latter can be achieved by placing dry oak leaves or duckweed on the surface.
Feeding
In nature, the predatory Managuan cichlazoma feeds on small fish and invertebrates. With an aquarium content of feed variations is much greater: from tadpoles to smaller relatives and insects. The unpretentiousness of cichlids in food makes it possible to compose a diet of offal, semi-finished products and large dry flakes. However, it is not worth it to abuse heavy meat like pork and beef, since jaguars are not able to digest such food. Feeding is required daily. If you wish, you can take a break once a week - it will not bring harm to the Managuans.
Aquarium equipment
Cichlazomas are very voracious, which, coupled with large sizes, makes this species incompatible with cleanliness. During life, in general, jaguars leave a huge amount of waste. Because of this, cichlids need powerful aquarium equipment that can ensure proper water purity and oxygen levels. Usually, when using the Managuans, they use powerful external filters and an artificial aeration system. But even with the aforementioned aquarium supply once a week, a replacement of 30% of the liquid is necessary, otherwise the level of protein and salt metabolism products of the fish will exceed the permissible value.
Compatibility with other types
The Managuan cichlazoma is far from friendliness even in relation to other representatives of its “breed”, therefore it is not necessary to talk about its content together with other fish.
Nevertheless, the jaguar is able to share the aquarium with large cichlids of other subspecies or catfish, the size of which is more than 30 cm. However, Managuans rarely attack their neighbors because of violation of the conditional boundaries of the territory, but they don’t descent them for attempting to kill their piece of food or their favorite pebble will give. Therefore, you should be especially careful during the spawning period - that's when the aggression and irritability of cichlids reaches its peak. In order to avoid the risk of conflicts with other inhabitants for this period, cichlosis is placed in a separate container.
If the breeder plans to breed, then he should buy a pair or group of fry, as the jaguars are aggressive towards members of their species. The male will easily kill the planted female, especially if he exceeds her size.
Breeding
In the wild, the Managuan cichlazoma multiplies almost all year round, but the peak falls in June. At this time, the formed pair is deposited in a separate container with a volume of at least 300 liters. Water parameters remain the same except for the temperature, which is recommended to be raised by 2 degrees - up to +28.
Sexual maturity of fish occurs on the 10-12th month of life. As soon as the time comes for reproduction, cichlids form a pair, and the male begins to dig up the soil under the eggs in a secluded place. As the nest is ready and spawning approaches, the jaguars become more aggressive and can attack the owner’s hands when working in the aquarium. At one time, the female spawns up to 5 thousand eggs, the incubation of which lasts for 2-3 days.
Baby Care
After the appearance of the fry of the Managuan cichlazoma, they feed on the contents of the gallbladder for about 3-4 days, and only then can they be fed. You should start with a liquid specialized food or egg yolk. As juveniles grow, small crustaceans (daphnia) are introduced into its diet, slowly transferring fish to adult food. Under good conditions, the fry reach 15-20 cm in length for 4 months, and after another year - the size of an adult cichlazoma.
It is also important to plant jaguars growing unevenly on time in containers with a volume of at least 200 liters, otherwise the cichlid may stop developing and never reach its greatness, which makes it so beloved by aquarists.