Whenever someone asks my opinion my general answer is... i really can't say what you should do but i can View attachment 881254 say what i did in a similar situation....in this case although i like motas when i got the tank space i went jags...yeah i know that they are common... but a nice fish is a nice fish......
I had a similar post a while back but it was for RTMS or grammodes... I had responses that they were both hiders.. Not so sure though cause I went grammode for the toughness people talk about. It got a little boring with him hiding half the time and I was disapointed I got a female (at least I think) so I added some dithers and a flowerhorn the same size (3"). Now the grammode hides non-stop because the flowerhorn made him her *****. Going to have to get another tank or sell the grammode :/ Long story short, keep personality in mind
I have Jags, I love them...but I'd say go Mota. Jags are becoming so common now, everyone has heard how cool of a fish they are so everyone and their uncle has them. Motas are cool fish and far less common. Be a leader padiwan, not a follower.
That is a pretty hypocritical post, if you're a "leader" then you go with what you like most, not what others think. It doesn't matter if something is "rare" or not, since all cichlids come and go and fish that are rare today can always be common tomorrow. That being said, you can't go wrong with either, but a Jag IMO is one of the most beautiful fish you can own, and they get very large compared to Motoguense.
I love to have a Jag, but, my 220 is stocked and the GF will not let me have another tank . Anyway if it were me common or not I'd go with a jag. Saw my first one 4 months ago in person and I should have bought it then but I didn't and I'm kind of regretting it. BTW, Jags, not common in my area have to drive 2 or more hours just to find one...
I like both, but the red tigers are so cool when they reach adulthood. My friend grew out both in a 300g..... the problem was they then cross bred(not really picky). I really don't think you can go wrong with either, as long as they are high quality (w.c. or F1/ F2).... Anyways, here is a pic of one of the hybrid babies ( i kept one before they got eaten by others in his tank)
Went by the store and they had recieved some F1s from the breeder. Well this thing had claimed the whole 20g holding tank as it's and had ripped everything to shreds. The other 12 fish were in an area smaller than my fist. I told them "I want that one" needless to say I went jag. It was the biggest and most aggressive so I'm hoping it's a male. Only 2in. I hope this pic coms out bigger than it's looking when I post
Congrats on your pick up..it was a win win..situation jags or motas both very nice cichlids..here is a parting shot of mine under less intense light...good luck with growth and development... looking forward to future updates...
. Anyway if it were me common or not I'd go with a jag. Saw my first one 4 months ago in person and I should have bought it then but I didn't and I'm kind of regretting it. BTW, Jags, not common in my area have to drive 2 or more hours just to find one... 
Congrats on your pick up..it was a win win..situation jags or motas both very nice cichlids..here is a parting shot of mine under less intense light...good luck with growth and development... looking forward to future updates...
