I am starting up a catfish tank and I'm very interested in getting a jaguar cat. I was hoping I could get some more information and maybe hear some personal experiences with keeping jaguars. I plan on having 2 striped raphaels, 2 banjo cats, a pleco, and a jaguar. They're going into a 55 gallon grow out tank and then obviously, something larger. When I get the larger tank I'd like to get a couple pictus. Any thoughts? Will the jaguar be compatible with the other cats I plan on getting? Any information about the jaguar would be helpful. Thanks!
Jaguar Catfish?
- Thread starter KristaM92
- Start date
when it comes to jaguars - They're not fish for the Newbies NOR is good show piece center fish. THey will hide and you will never see them again once there is decors in the tank for them to feel secure in.
They're more of fish for the real diehard catfish keepers who will sit in the dark to squint at them for hours. Like me. Also they're happier with other fish of their own kind too. Getting one just for its looks isn't doing its species any good, it needs to be in a group.
Get a different type of catfish but not those catfish just because they look badass doesn't mean they are going to be badass in the tank when you never see them. But if you're committed to getting a school established into the tank and have alot of driftwood for them to feel safe in then feel free to ask any more questions otherwise for a newbie, I would never recomend this catfish. I have had 12 at one point but over acclimation period, I only have 5 that will thrive in the tank while others didn't make it. That's how hard it is to keep them.
A 55g growout tank is always a 55gallon. A rule of thumb, if you don't have the bigger tank yet, then its not a growout tank, its a tank. Period. I would recomend if you can get a 75g tank, its worth the footprint. ITs more depth for the raphael cats once they get big and you afford yourself more room/visuals for aquascaping your tank. 55gs are too narrow but is doable. However if youre starting out go for the 75g tank, its worth it. really is. a Raphael even at 10'' can be comfortable for life in a 75g due its footprints.
Raphaels are a good choice! Great fish to own, I miss my group
Banjo cats are very cool cats too. IF youre getting a common pleco, not worth the waste they produce. There are different kinds of plecs. Just gotta figure out which ones you tend to like. I would say the Rapahels are the best catfish to start out with due to them being able to handle bad water parameters or mess-ups by alot of aquarists. Great solider cats I call them lol. Any other questions, ask! there are alot of nice looking cats out there that will not hide all of the time.
They're more of fish for the real diehard catfish keepers who will sit in the dark to squint at them for hours. Like me. Also they're happier with other fish of their own kind too. Getting one just for its looks isn't doing its species any good, it needs to be in a group.
Get a different type of catfish but not those catfish just because they look badass doesn't mean they are going to be badass in the tank when you never see them. But if you're committed to getting a school established into the tank and have alot of driftwood for them to feel safe in then feel free to ask any more questions otherwise for a newbie, I would never recomend this catfish. I have had 12 at one point but over acclimation period, I only have 5 that will thrive in the tank while others didn't make it. That's how hard it is to keep them.
A 55g growout tank is always a 55gallon. A rule of thumb, if you don't have the bigger tank yet, then its not a growout tank, its a tank. Period. I would recomend if you can get a 75g tank, its worth the footprint. ITs more depth for the raphael cats once they get big and you afford yourself more room/visuals for aquascaping your tank. 55gs are too narrow but is doable. However if youre starting out go for the 75g tank, its worth it. really is. a Raphael even at 10'' can be comfortable for life in a 75g due its footprints.
Raphaels are a good choice! Great fish to own, I miss my group
Banjo cats are very cool cats too. IF youre getting a common pleco, not worth the waste they produce. There are different kinds of plecs. Just gotta figure out which ones you tend to like. I would say the Rapahels are the best catfish to start out with due to them being able to handle bad water parameters or mess-ups by alot of aquarists. Great solider cats I call them lol. Any other questions, ask! there are alot of nice looking cats out there that will not hide all of the time.I am new to this website but I'm not a newb. A newb to the jaguar cat, yes. But that is all part of expanding and learning in this hobby. 
I am aware that I will rarely ever see my fish. If I had any qualms with that I wouldn't have decided on a catfish only tank. I have a raphael, farlowella, and a BGK in a different tank and I love turning all the lights off and sitting there with a flashlight just so I can watch them. Although a visually striking fish, it's the animal itself that interests me. I would love to care for them. I have a couple larger tanks in storage but I don't have a stand or odds and ends equipment for them yet. Plus, the 55 gallon is already established so for the time being, they would go into that tank. I'm trying to keep it as low light as possible. The tank is 48" long but the light I have on it is only 25". I also have some moonlights as well. The substrate is pool filter sand, the driftwood is a stump with branches reaching out across the tank, and I have PVC pipe scattered around the floor. However, I did not know that Jaguars prefer to be in groups. Is this only when they're juveniles? I read that they prefer to be in groups when they're young but when they get older, they like to be alone. How big of a group would you recommend? There's so much conflicting information out there about these cats. :/ Your help is appreciated!
I am aware that I will rarely ever see my fish. If I had any qualms with that I wouldn't have decided on a catfish only tank. I have a raphael, farlowella, and a BGK in a different tank and I love turning all the lights off and sitting there with a flashlight just so I can watch them. Although a visually striking fish, it's the animal itself that interests me. I would love to care for them. I have a couple larger tanks in storage but I don't have a stand or odds and ends equipment for them yet. Plus, the 55 gallon is already established so for the time being, they would go into that tank. I'm trying to keep it as low light as possible. The tank is 48" long but the light I have on it is only 25". I also have some moonlights as well. The substrate is pool filter sand, the driftwood is a stump with branches reaching out across the tank, and I have PVC pipe scattered around the floor. However, I did not know that Jaguars prefer to be in groups. Is this only when they're juveniles? I read that they prefer to be in groups when they're young but when they get older, they like to be alone. How big of a group would you recommend? There's so much conflicting information out there about these cats. :/ Your help is appreciated!
My group are considered adults and they always flock together, if they're given a choice, they will stake out their best hiding spots next to each other instead of the opposite end of the tank or pond. I've seen it in my group being in the pond over the summer. They sticked together given a choice when there were so many hiding spots, they all had to hide in the same cave.
I would say get at least 3-4 to start out with if you can get them. They're very difficult fish to acclimate to the tank life. I've done so many plecos/other hard to keep cats and those fellas are the only ones I've had a hard time with. I don't know if was my source(s) where I got them that I just happened to have a bad batch(es)
Cheers!
I would say get at least 3-4 to start out with if you can get them. They're very difficult fish to acclimate to the tank life. I've done so many plecos/other hard to keep cats and those fellas are the only ones I've had a hard time with. I don't know if was my source(s) where I got them that I just happened to have a bad batch(es)
Cheers!
I am new to this website but I'm not a newb. A newb to the jaguar cat, yes. But that is all part of expanding and learning in this hobby.
So have you ever got your jags?
DrownedFishonFire
Could I see an update to your group anywhere?
I sold the group when I closed down my fish room to a member here from Minnesota has to be 3 years or 4 now. No idea if he still has the group.