Dovii, Jags & ALL Parachromis With GuapoteMel Meanest Cichlid Genus

[Aqua Nut]

Today we go over everything Parachromis Cichlids with a very special guest, GuapoteMel. Mel has over 4 decades of experience caring for, breeding and raising every species in the Parachromis genus. He shares his secrets to success with all of us in this monster fish keeping 101.

Mel goes over the 5 different species in the Parachromis family as follows:

Parachromis Dovii AKA the Wolf Cichlid
Parachromis Managuensis, Managuense AKA Jaguar, Jag Cichlid
Parachromis Friedrichsthalii AKA Freddy, Yellow Jacket Cichlid
Parachromis Motaguensis, Motaguense AKA Tiger Mota Cichlid
Parachromis Loisellei

While each species has similarities, they also have unique characteristics and traits which are discussed. Mel classifies the Parachromis into 2 (technically 3) types based on similarities they share.

Group 1 consists on Parachromis Dovii and Parachromis Managuensis. These two species are both monster sized with expected adult size potentials of over 20" for the Jag cichlid and over 30" for the Dovii. These 2 species are also known to be on the extreme side of the aggression charts with many individuals being best housed alone. These are truly some of the meanest, most brutal cichlids out there with huge size and equally huge strength.

Mel recommends a tank size of 500 gallons for an adult Dovii and 300 gallons for an adult Jaguar cichlid. These fish are true monsters and in order to grow to their full potential, they require equally monstrous tanks.

Next, we look at Group 2 (and 3). This group does not get quite as large as group 1, though by no means are they small fish. In this group you will find Parachromis Motaguense AKA Red Tiger Mota Cichlid and Parachromis Fredrichsthalii AKA Freddies, Yellow Jacket Cichlid. Technically, the Loisellei would be on its own in group 3, though it does have some similarities to group 2.

The tiger mota or Parachromis Motaguensis has an estimated full grown size of 12-14". The Freddy's or Parachromis Friedrichstahlii has the same estimated adult size of12-14"

The Parachromis Loisellei on the other hand is the smallest of the bunch with an estimated size of about 10" which is much smaller than the monster Parachromis seen in group 1.

Mel does a great job at explaining the origins of all the Parachromis species and gives a brief history on them. He shares some really cool information on how they live in the wild and what we can do to achieve full growth potential of these monster cichlids. These monsters originate from Central America from Honduras, Costa Rica, Belize and Nicaragua. He shares where each fish is found and what habitats they prefer.

Mel goes over basic care including how to care for Parachromis and raise them to live to their full expected life span. It was an honor to get to learn from a true monster fish keeping legend.

Mel discusses recommended temperature to house and keep Parachromis. Everything you need to know about Paracromis Cichlids and the basics to caring for Dovii, Jaguar, Freddy, Tiger Mota and Loisellei is discussed here!

In this video, you will see clips of GuapoteMel's MONSTER 27" Dovii he had for over 14 years before he had passed due to old age. He is an absolutely phenomenal specimen that really reached an impressive size.

Also featured are clips from other dedicated monster fish keepers. We are super thankful to everyone who contributed footage of their amazing Dovii, Jags, Tiger Mota, Freddy and Loisellei Cichlids. All credits below!

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Special Thanks and Credits:

GuapoteMel
https://www.youtube.com/user/GuapoteMel

Team Parachromis Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088054147917457/

Fredrichsthali Female/ Pair
Jozef

Dovii Male Footage
Michael

Aggressive Jag Footage
Lee

Mota Male Photo
David

Jag/Mota Footage
Dave C.

Fred, Mota Footage
https://www.youtube.com/user/rcoop69rc

Loisellei Footage
www.hobbykwekers.nl

Loisellei Footage

Krill Photo
http://www.animalstown.com/animals/k/krill/coloring-pages/krill-coloring-02.php
http://www.krillfacts.org/1-krill-facts-center.html

Northfin Photo
http://www.canadian-aquatic-feed.com/?page_id=15

Hikari Photo
http://www.hikariusa.com/diets/cichlidbiogoldplus/
http://www.hikariusa.com/diets/sinking-carnivore-pellets/

NLS Photo
http://nlsfishfood.com/spectrum/

Dainichi Image
https://www.dainichi.com/cichlid_food.html

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[DarylMac]

Thank you. Guapote Mel and Andy Woods have to be my two favourite YouTubers - I could listen to either of them talk fish for hours. I'd like to see more contributors follow their example and speak to their subscribers about their fish.

Thanks for posting that video. I'll be checking out your channel and may even smash subscribe!

 

[Aqua Nut]

Hey thanks a lot Daryl. I agree with you mate, these guys are amazing reliable sources of information based on years of experience, not speculation, Its hard to beat that. Finding quality information online is becoming harder and harder these days since anyone can just make their own page. But thank you for watching Daryl and I hope you find some of our other videos on there just as good.

 

[cichlidfish]

Well done and very informative. Especially talking about proper tank size for these guys.
But I didn't hear any mention of parachromis like Freddy and jags range including Mexico.

 

[axs377]

Awesome post. Always like to listen to Mel's video. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Aqua Nut]

Well done and very informative. Especially talking about proper tank size for these guys.
But I didn't hear any mention of parachromis like Freddy and jags range including Mexico.

Interesting man, I was aware that they made it that far but was under the impression that they were brought over as food fish. I know they have made it as far as florda as well. I read a report from the USGS i believe that was talking about them being found over there as well. I guess during colder winters a lot of them die off. We might break down each of these fish in the future and add that in there. Thanks for the comment.

 

[ExoticGREEN]

Cool! Sucks he doesn't post on here anymore. But glad he started up again on YouTube!

 

[Aqua Nut]

Awesome post. Always like to listen to Mel's video. Thanks for sharing.

Right on bud, thank you for watching

 

[Aqua Nut]

Cool! Sucks he doesn't post on here anymore. But glad he started up again on YouTube!

Yeah i always do enjoy getting a notification for him with a new video. Thanks for commenting man.

 

[DarylMac]

I've been checking out your channel Aqua Nut and there is some good content there. I've smashed subscribe.

Are you guys in Washington State? I ask because I caught an Aquarium Co-Op reference in your Internal Parasites video, and I believe Guapote Mel hails from there.