Keeping parachromis

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Keeping parachromis

Many questions have come up in this forum about keeping fish in the parachromis species, which have been rising in popularity lately. I have made this thread so that hopefully the questions will lessen, because we all get tired of the same, how big a tank types of questions. I have generously taken my time to write this up, so please take a look, I hope this was useful for you, I plan to add more later, such as breeding information, if you keep the fish, and have pics, then please post them, and I will add them into this, if you disagree with anything I have posted, please notify me through pm, do not post it here. Thanks.


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Parachromis dovii-

Dovii, or wolf cichlids, are known to be kings of cichlids; they get large, have teeth and have amazing personalities, so many people like to keep them. Listed here are the requirements too keep this awesome species into adulthood. These fish are found in Central America

Captive requirements-

Fish size- males can get to 30” in the wild, though captive specimens rarely get larger than 20”. Females get to around 16”-18”

Tank size- because of the large size of these cichlids, and because they are very active cichlids, large tank sizes area a must, minimum for females is 125 gallons, males on the other hand need 180+ gallons, pairs may work in 180’s, though to be on the safe side, 240 gallons would be much better, because the footprint of 8’x2’, give much more space than 6’x2’.

Filtration- the fish are large so good filtration is a must, for a tank like a 180, I would recommend a wet/dry filter.

Décor- because these fish are known to be very active, I would recommend keeping the tanks for them, as bare as possible, have gravel, and maybe a piece of driftwood, but they are fast moving and could hurt themselves, on any sharp corners, of slate or such. There is almost no chance of keeping any live plants with them.

Tank mates- these fish are known for being very aggressive so, tank mates, is pretty much a big no, though you may be able to have a pair together.

Feeding- feed these how you would any other larger cichlid, large pellets, food sticks, etc are all good things to feed dovii

 

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Parachromis loisellei-

Loisellei, are a smaller fish in the parachromis species

Captive requirements-

Fish size- males can get up to 14”, and females are usually are smaller around 11”

Tank size- these fish require a tank of 75 gallons or more, or at least a foot print of 4’x18”, in a tank of that size you may be able to squeeze a pair into it, though you should go with something larger if at all possible.

Filtration- these fish are large but do not need as serious filtration like that of dovii, a good canister filter 300-400 gph, and a good quality power filter, would be fine for a 75-100 gallon tank.

Décor- these fish aren’t extremely crazy, so it is more possible to keep so décor in the tank with them, such as driftwood, large rocks, and the like, though still if you plan to keep live plants with them, make sure you choose the plants well, and plant them well, because you could lose them.

Tank mates- loisellei aren’t extremely aggressive as some of the parachromis species, so you probably will be able to keep tank mates with them, but be careful, because it all depends from fish to fish, how aggression affects them, but for the most part, you can keep, larger similarly aggressive cichlids with them, but make sure the tank has at least a 6 foot length if you do plan to keep tank mates with them.

Feeding- same as other large cichlids

 

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Parachromis managuensis-

Jaguar cichlids have been becoming very popular as of late, and here is what you should have in order to keep these magnificent fish into adulthood.

Captive requirements-

Fish size- in the wild male jaguars can get up to 22”, though in captivity they never get over 16”, which is still plenty big, females get up to 14”, though usually smaller in the 11”-13” range.

Tank size- to keep males you will need a tank of at least 125 gallons, a female though can be kept in a tank of 75 gallons, and pairs should be housed in 125-180 + gallon tanks.

Filtration- filtration for these fish, should be similar to that of loiselli

Décor- tank décor should be kept, on the bare side of things, you can keep a little, but to maximize swim room, don’t put to much in the tank, for pairs make sure to have a piece of slate for eggs.

Tank mates- with tank mates for jaguars it can either be a hit or miss, some jaguars are crazy killers, some are passive pansies, you never know what you’ll get, but one things for sure, if you have a breeding pair, make sure to keep them alone, there crazy during breeding.

Feeding- is the same as with any other large cichlid.

 

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Parachromis motaguensis-

Fish size- mota’s get to around 12” long

Tank size- minimum to keep red tigers is 75 gallons, in a tank that size you would be able to keep up to 1 pair.

Décor- as with the other parachromis, the less décor the better, to maximize swim room

Tank mates- you can keep other larger cichlids with motas, i.e.- Texas, Oscars, jd’s, gt’s etc, though do not unless you tank has at least a 6 foot length.

Feeding- larger pellets, food sticks, etc

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Parachromis friedrichsthalii-

Fish size- fish size is about the same as loisellie, 14” males, and 11”+ females

tank size- to keep freddys you will need a tank of 75 gallons or more, for a single, or a small pair, though bigger is always better

Décor- what applies for the other fish as do this one, less décor- more swimming room

Tank mates- this speics is siamlar to loisellei and mota’s in terms of tank mates, larger cichlid of similar demeanor can be kept with these fish.

Feeding- larger pellets, food sticks.

 

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Notes- I discourage highly feeding live feeders to you fish, they carry dieses and are harmful to you fish, do not feed them please

Also- with tanks mates, it is not a good idea to mix 2 species of parachromis together, it may work, but it’s not a good idea.

Sorry for any spelling mistakes.

 

[JCA]

thanks for the info! i will definitely use it!

 

[balton777]

Good info XR! Thanks for taking the time.

 

[nuth88]

Very Good Info!

Thank you Again!!!

 

[bolty]

Great stuff ---XR---

 

[Hawkfish3.0]

Great post! My Parachromis...
Managuensis

Loisellei