So I've had african cichlids for years and have had Oscar's. So I decided after years of Africans i was going to make life easy and just put 1 jaguar cichlid in my 125. But the more I read the more confused I get. I bought a red tiger motaguense but it was labeled managuese. I know that there is several species of these fish. Are the growth rate and size generally the same? When I Google RTM it says 2 to 3 inches but other sites say 12 inches. Why is one one moto and one mana? I want one large jaguar but I'm afraid I picked the wrong species. Any help would be great thanks
Need info. New to jaguar cichlids.
- Thread starter Mathiuspage
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Male Parachromis motaguense will exceed 12" and become quite a bulky fish in adulthood. Personally I wouldn't keep one or a jaguar in a tank as small as yours but this is personal preference. A mota will be far better suited to this aquarium in the long run and will be arguably more attractive. After a few years you will have close to a 12" long fish and probably close to 1.5" thick, the thickness and height taking longer than length to achieve.
Welcome to the forum.
So motas and jags are two different species, both of the parachromis genus (holds all the meanest cichlids).
They look similar when young and are often confused. Both are a very rewarding fish, I would very much like the chance to keep them one day.
Jags are about 16 inches. Have a Jaguar pattern (hence the name). Very much a solo fish.
Motas are 10-13 on average. Males are reddish brown and are spotted, females are bright red and yellow (much nicer looking imo). You could keep a pair in a 125.
Both have a similar temperament, with motas being even meaner on average.
Similar water and dietary needs.
Probably looking at around an inch per month growth rate.
So motas and jags are two different species, both of the parachromis genus (holds all the meanest cichlids).
They look similar when young and are often confused. Both are a very rewarding fish, I would very much like the chance to keep them one day.
Jags are about 16 inches. Have a Jaguar pattern (hence the name). Very much a solo fish.
Motas are 10-13 on average. Males are reddish brown and are spotted, females are bright red and yellow (much nicer looking imo). You could keep a pair in a 125.
Both have a similar temperament, with motas being even meaner on average.
Similar water and dietary needs.
Probably looking at around an inch per month growth rate.
Kept and spawned both...an adult managuense versus motaguense, hands down managuense a far more impressive fish.... then again it also depends on what you have avail to keep them in..
the red tiger moto is a much cooler and much less common fish imo. females are more colorful i believe they might not get quite as big as the jag but a similar size. they are different species but i think you picked the nicest parachromis fish if only by accident.
If its a single wet pet fish your after your going to need more patients with mota's. From my experience they can be quite shy at first taking a longer to come to there own.
I've found mota's to be more aggressive towards other fish, but not so aggressive towards there keeper.
Motaguensis on average will reach 12 to 13inch and managuensis a thick bulky 16inch. So bare in mind that a 16inch parachromis is loads bigger than a 12 to 13inch specimen.
I've found mota's to be more aggressive towards other fish, but not so aggressive towards there keeper.
Motaguensis on average will reach 12 to 13inch and managuensis a thick bulky 16inch. So bare in mind that a 16inch parachromis is loads bigger than a 12 to 13inch specimen.
Also a lot can depend on the individual fish, one jaguar my have a different personality to another. But on a hole they tend to want to bite the hand that feeds them, along with syphone hoses and other cleaning equipment.
I had a jag briefly that was sent to me by mistake. So while I was debating keeping it or not, researched the hell out of them and asked on a few forums and from everything I read a male would be a no go in a 125, but a female would be a possibility.
