I am a jaguar cichlid lover and I have an interesting question to which I cannont find a definitive answer. I own a beautiful 14" male who has taken my 125 by force, and I am dedicated to giving him the best of care. I was wondering exactly what jags eat in the wild. It is obvious that they evolved primarily as fish eaters, but what exactly do they eat? What species of fish do they dine on in their native waters? Do they eat fish exclusively, or do they predate on anything else? Any answers, or directions to interesting reading about the native waters of these fish would be greatly appreciated. I don't expect to replicate this fishes native environment of my fish, but I am definitly interested in knowing a little more.
Jagaurs in the wild
- Thread starter web2844
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Jags are very widespread throughout central america both naturally and by man (as a food fish). They live in a wide variety of environments and IMO are very versatile. I have seen them live in stagnant roadside ponds in Honduras. I would assume that they eat whatever is available in a given environment. Fish, insects, snails, crayfish, etc....
yeah i think normally they are an open water predator once grown and will hunt down any fish that's passing through though i don't know exactly what species, but they are definitely survivors and will eat pretty much anything that is an easy target these guys are beasts haha
I beleave Jags are ambush preditors and not open water hunters. They are mainly fish eaters but what fish spcificly I'm not sure.
there was an article i read somewhere maybe on here about the basketmouth design being an evolutionary trait passed down for ambush predation. a fish swims by enough logs and sooner or later there will be an ambush predator waiting.
Posted on mobile.monsterfishkeepers.com
Posted on mobile.monsterfishkeepers.com
It is possible that managuense could be open water predators in certain limited environments, but in most places that would not be the case. In Lago Nicaragua they are ambush predators and have an affinity for convicts. They aren't open water predators in that environment because the lake a has population of bullsharks in it. I have observed them Nicaragua, Honduras and Florida. They always seemed to be associated with heavy cover. Overall their mouthes are very versatile, they can take advantage of whatever is available.
If you really want to give the jag the best you can, I suggest a wide variety of foods. Although I use pellets as a staple. MY Jag goes nuts for a big juicy night crawler, or crickets that find their way into the house, and frozen bloodworms, and beefheart. I can only assume that a diet of the same food will get rather dull, so I like to treat mine to a little variety. Even goes after the flakes I put in for my little guys. I say let him eat anything and everything he will, so long as its safe.
Agree that they are ambush predators.
I've raised my breeding pair on Silversides, prawn, market shrimp, night crawlers, (tadpoles, grasshoppers and crickets when found). You don't need to feed that 14" monster everyday either...especially in a 125.
Post a pic, I'd love to see em.
I've raised my breeding pair on Silversides, prawn, market shrimp, night crawlers, (tadpoles, grasshoppers and crickets when found). You don't need to feed that 14" monster everyday either...especially in a 125.
Post a pic, I'd love to see em.