Managuan cichlazoma: description, content and compatibility

Managuan cichlazoma is a predatory fish that belongs to the genus cichlases and the family of cichlids. The genus cichlase has about 100 species of fish. Many representatives of this genus are very popular aquarium fish around the world. Another name for the Managuan cichloma is the jaguar cichlid.. She received this name for the characteristic spots on the body, reminiscent of the color of the jaguar.

In the wild, Managuan cichlazoma is found in Central America in rivers, lakes and warm bodies of water with stagnant water. Especially a lot of these fish in the rivers Ulua and Matina, as well as in Lake Managua, from the name of which cichlazoma got its name. The first time this fish was described by German zoologist Albert Gunter in 1867. In Mexico, Guatemala, Singapore and some other countries, reservoirs are artificially populated by Managuan cichlids, since there they are commercial fish.

In nature, the jaguar cichlid grows to 60 cm and weighs several kg. Under conditions of aquarium keeping, males reach 40–50 cm, females - no more than 35 cm. The body of these fish has an oval shape, it is elongated and compressed from the sides. This structure helps predatory fish to make rapid prey throws.

In addition, they have pharyngeal teeth, and fin sharp rays protect them from other predators. Managuan cichlases has a large head and an impressive mouth with thick lips.The eyes are iris red.

Only adults are mottled, young fish have only dark stripes. With age, black and white spots fade and disappear, especially in males. In adulthood, they have sharper than females dorsal and anal fins and a very expressive bright color. The caudal fin has no lobes and has a rounded shape.

Managuan cichlazoma is not very difficult to keep at home fish. When creating conditions comfortable for its growth, you will receive an aquarium inhabitant unique in its beauty and grace. In order for a jaguar cichlid to live in captivity for as long as possible, it needs suitable conditions.

• The volume of the aquarium. It should be at least 100 liters for one fish, for a couple - at least 300 liters. If the cichlase is more than 2, then a capacity of 600 liters is needed.
• Temperature. Recommended water temperature is 24–28 ° C. In warmer water, fish become very aggressive.
• The composition of the water. Water with an acidity of 7.0–8.7 pH and hardness of 10–15 is suitable for this type of aquarium fish. Since they are predatory inhabitants, and they feed mainly on live food, the water is quickly polluted. It is necessary to purchase a powerful filter and change 40% of water every week. Good aeration should also be provided.
• Lighting. Managuan cichlazomas do not need very bright lighting. To dim the light, you can plant duckweed on the surface or put well-washed oak leaves.
• Priming. Most of all these fish are gravel of large sizes or medium-sized pebbles, as they really like to move small pebbles along the bottom. Soil needs to be processed so that it does not injure cichlosis. It is possible to place driftwood, shells, large stones in it, but it is better to fix them properly.
• Plants. Managuan cichlazomas destroy vegetation, as they dig the bottom all the time. You can try to make a Canadian Elodea or hornwort, because they do not need rooting, and they grow quickly. Alternatively, you can place artificial algae.

The diet of jaguar cichlids should be balanced and diverse. It is recommended to feed them once a day, once a week you can not give food. Despite the fact that in the wild these fish eat live food, in the aquarium they need to be given dry food.

Of living things, tadpoles, small fish, and insects will do. You can give meat offal and semi-finished products.

Managuan cichlazoma is a spawning fish. At the age of 10 months, the male can be clearly distinguished from the female. He has a grosser body, a larger head, a dorsal tubercle is more pronounced, and the dorsal fin is emerald, the color is golden (the female is silver). These fish reach puberty at the age of 1 year. It is desirable that both future parents grow up together, otherwise the male can kill the unfamiliar female.

The male builds and guards the nest into which the female lays eggs during spawning. The water temperature can be raised to 28 °, there should not be other fish in the aquarium. The female lays about 3,000 golden-colored eggs and takes care of them. On 3-4 days fry appear.

All members of the cichlid family have good natural immunity, their diseases are most often the result of improper care. You should know that these fish are sensitive to the composition of the water. It should not have an increased concentration of proteins and substances containing nitrogen. If the color of the cichlazoma has become dark, and the fish nervously moves around the aquarium, then you need to immediately replace the third part of the volume of water.

Poor quality food can often become a source of infection. Jaguar cichlids must be deposited separately and treated with drugs.

It should not be forgotten that the Managuan cichlazoma is a predatory and aggressive fish that selflessly guards its territory, and becomes even more aggressive during spawning. Therefore, it can be kept in an aquarium only with large cichlids of other species or with large aquarium catfish, for example, clarius or pangasius. Cases of compatibility of the jaguar cichlid with giant gouras and black pacu are known. It is strongly not recommended to run small fish into the aquarium with Managuan cichlazomas: they will be eaten right there.

Managuan cichlazoma is a very beautiful large fish that looks spectacular in a large aquarium. Caring for her is not very difficult, in addition, she has naturally good immunity. Under proper conditions, these beautiful jaguar-colored predators can live in home aquariums for about 15 years.

See more about the features of these fish in the next video.