How to Breed Jaguar Cichlids

Jaguar cichlids are large, boldly patterned fish. They can grow to almost 2 feet in length. Jaguar cichlids have a gold body with either black stripes or spots, depending on gender. These fish can be aggressive and territorial, and therefore require a large aquarium. However, as long as the need for their own territory is met, they are relatively easy to care for. They also breed fairly easily in the home aquarium. When the correct steps are taken, these fish will produce and care for many young cichlids.

Things You'll Need

  • 180-gallon aquarium
  • Aquarium decorations
  • Cichlid food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Raise a group of young jaguar cichlids together in your main aquarium. These fish tend to pair off by themselves by the time they reach about 4 inches long, saving you the trouble of selecting a breeding pair. However, if you want to select a pair instead of letting the fish pick, you'll need to sex the cichlids. Jaguar cichlid males have spots instead of stripes or bars, which the female has. The males are also usually larger.

    • 2

      Place the male and female jaguar cichlids in an aquarium by themselves. An aquarium of about 180 gallons is ideal. Although they will not usually be aggressive toward each other, these fish will become violent toward any other fish that come near them during breeding. However, in case the male does become violent, provide hiding places for the female. These areas should be small enough that the male cannot enter. Use a small hollow log, or divide the tank with a screen that has a hole through which the larger male cannot pass.

    • 3

      Add aquarium decorations such as rocks and plants to the aquarium. These give the female a place to hide, as well as a place to keep the eggs.

    • 4

      Feed the jaguar cichlids regularly. Keeping them well fed will induce breeding.

    • 5

      Raise the temperature of the water to about 82 degrees F. This warmer temperature will encourage breeding. It will also keep the new eggs from growing fungus.

    • 6

      Scoop or vacuum out about half the water in the aquarium, while replacing it with fresh water. Perform this partial water change twice in the same week. The fresh water, paired with the warm temperature, will induce spawning.

    • 7

      Wait for the jaguar cichlids to breed. The pair will select a spot, usually next to a rock, and dig a hole.

    • 8

      Watch as the pair mates. The female will first lay her eggs on a flat surface. The male will then fertilize the eggs. After this, the female will fan the eggs, providing oxygenated water for the eggs. She will remove any debris that happens to land on the eggs. The male will hover, protecting the eggs from predators.

    • 9

      Observe the female moving the eggs to the hole the two fish dug earlier. This means the eggs are getting close to hatching. Jaguar cichlid eggs hatch sometime between two and five days after they're laid.