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No federal permit to keepFalse yellowjacket cichlid
Parachromis motaguensis
Fishes › Cichlids (Cichliformes) › Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Parachromis motaguensis, the false yellowjacket cichlid, is a species of cichlid native to Central America, where it can be found in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.
Care at a glance
Species-specific aquarium care
- Tank: At least 60 in long and 24 in front to back for one adult (adults commonly reach about 11.8 in / 30 cm).
- Water: Freshwater (tolerates brackish).
- Temperature: 77–86°F (range recorded for this species).
- pH: 7–8.
- Hardness: 9–20 dGH.
- Layout: Uses both the bottom and open water: give open swimming space plus cover near the substrate.
- Diet: A predator: feed meaty foods sized to its mouth (frozen fish, shrimp, worms); it will eat tankmates that fit in its mouth. FishBase classes it as a carnivore.
Calculated from this species' own FishBase record: tank size from its typical adult length and swimming zone, water values from its recorded ranges. The group guide below fills in general care.
Care guide
Species care notes
- Tank: a base of at least 47 × 15 in (roughly 54 US gallons); space needed is rated “large tank”.
- Water: a fairly wide range, from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, 68–86 °F, pH 6–8.
- Behaviour: temperament territorial.
- Difficulty: Easy (Seriously Fish rating).
Short excerpts from the species profile:
- Setup: “A riverine species, the Motaguensis prefers areas with fallen trees (use bogwood and driftwood to replicate this) and rocks.”
- Diet: “Almost exclusively carnivorous in nature, preying on smaller fish and aquatic invertebrates.”
- Breeding: “A pair will go through the courtship ritual which can include gill flaring, and the female lunging towards the male - but stopping short before making contact.”
From the Seriously Fish profile for this species, which has the full habitat, maintenance, diet, behaviour and breeding write-up 167
Central and South American cichlids
Applies to most species in this group. Habitat: Rivers and lakes of the Americas. Individual species can differ, so compare with the species numbers above and the linked sources.
Housing & setup
- Size ranges widely, from convicts at 5 in to Parachromis over 20 in; plan tank size for the adult fish.
- Most tolerate neutral, moderately hard water; strong filtration and rock or wood caves.
Climate & lighting
| Water | 75–82°F |
Diet
- Omnivorous cichlid pellets plus vegetables for herbivores (Vieja, Uaru) and meaty foods for predators (Parachromis).
Social life
- Territorial; breeding pairs can clear a whole tank.
Health watch
- Aggression and territorial injuries, especially when breeding; hole-in-the-head in poor water.
Understanding the animal
About this animal
About this animal
This species grows to a length of 30 centimetres (12 in) TL. This species is farmed.
Quoted from the Wikipedia article “Parachromis motaguensis” (CC BY-SA 4.0) 174
In the wild
In the wild
From this species’ own FishBase record (habitat, bottom type, water and breeding data), not its family. Good care copies these conditions.1
| Where it lives | Lives in freshwater and brackish water, in rivers and streams, lakes. Uses both the bottom and open water. Inhabits lakes and rivers but prefers the moderate to fast flowing waters of the lower and middle river valley sections. Feeds on fish. |
| Water it lives in | Freshwater / brackish water, 77–86 °F (25–30 °C), pH 7–8, hardness 9–20 dH. |
| Climate | Tropical climate. |
| Wild diet | Hunting macrofauna (predator). |
| Behavior to plan for | Breeding: nesters. |
What this means for care
- Keep water within its wild range, 77–86 °F.
- It tolerates or needs brackish water; check salinity needs before setup.
Native climate (measured)
Native climate (measured)
| Warm-season highs | about 87°F (up to 95°F in the hottest sampled areas) |
| Cool-season lows | about 62°F (down to 55°F in the coldest sampled areas) |
| Average temperature | 69–80°F across sampled records |
| Relative humidity | 75–78% on average (driest month about 67%) |
| Rainfall | about 1649 mm a year |
Measured at 53 wild occurrence records sampled against WorldClim 2.1 climate data (1970–2000 averages). Air conditions in the range are ecological context, not enclosure settings: microhabitats such as burrows, leaf litter or basking rocks can be cooler, warmer or more humid.
From the sources
From the sources
Quoted from the matching sections of reputable sources for this exact species. Specialist databases are used first; Wikipedia (community-edited, CC BY-SA 4.0) only fills gaps. Other sources are short credited quotes.
| Overview | Parachromis motaguensis, the false yellowjacket cichlid, is a species of cichlid native to Central America, where it can be found in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. This species grows to a length of 30 cm TL. — Wikipedia (community-edited) |
| Where it lives | Home ranges Population dynamics Growth parameters Max. ages / sizes Length-weight rel. Length-frequencies Mass conversion Recruitment Abundance Life cycle Reproduction Maturity Maturity/Gills rel. — FishBase |
| Wild diet | The genus Parachromis are not fussy eaters and will readily accept most food substances offered. Diet should be varied however. Offer a variety of insect, including blood worm, earthworm, mysis, crickets (for larger specimens). — Wikipedia (community-edited) |
| Reproduction | Subtrate guarding as a form of parental care is done by both male and female. — FishBase |
| Appearance and size | Maximum length 30.0 cm tl male/unsexed. — FishBase |
| Biology | Inhabits lakes and rivers but prefers the moderate to fast flowing waters of the lower and middle river valley sections. Feeds on fish, aquatic and terrestrial insects. — FishBase |
Data and studies
The numbers
The numbers
Each bar is what one source reports. Where several sources weigh in, the dashed gold band marks their average.
Adult length
Maximum recorded length. Measured as total length. Fish in home aquariums often stay smaller than wild records.
Water temperature
Range the species tolerates in nature; aim for the middle.
Water hardness
Minimum tank footprint
Seriously Fish recommends a tank base of at least 47 × 15 in (about 54 US gallons).
Sources for this sheet
- FishBase (Froese & Pauly, eds.), version 24.07 Peer-reviewed researchThe global scientific database on fishes, maintained by a consortium of research institutions; every value is referenced.
- Seriously Fish species profiles Experienced keeper or breederLong-running aquarium reference written and peer-checked by experienced fishkeepers and ichthyologists; each profile covers habitat, tank size, water, diet, behaviour and breeding.
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Management of aquarium fish Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Types and features of aquatic systems Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
- Wikipedia (species article) Community referenceFree encyclopedia; useful overviews with their own citations. Intro text is quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- iNaturalist (captive observations) Community referenceCommunity observation platform run by the California Academy of Sciences and National Geographic; observations marked captive show animals living in homes, zoos and aquariums.
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