{"product_id":"red-tiger-motaguensis-parachromis-motaguensis","title":"Red Tiger Motaguensis | Parachromis motaguensis","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Red Tiger Motaguensis is a sleek, powerful predator blotched in red, gold and black — one of the most striking of the Central American cichlids. It is a serious fish for a serious keeper, growing to around 30 cm and defending its territory with real conviction, so plan for a big, well-filtered tank and carefully chosen tank mates.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eParachromis motaguensis comes from the Río Motagua system and other rivers and lakes of Guatemala and Honduras in Central America, where it hunts among rocks, roots and undercut banks in warm, moderately hard water. It is an ambush piscivore that patrols open water and cover alike.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA torpedo-shaped, big-mouthed cichlid. Base colour ranges from silvery to golden-yellow, overlaid with bold black blotches and, in condition or breeding dress, flushes of deep red across the head and flanks. Mature males grow larger and heavier-headed than females and are the most vividly marked.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis is a genuinely aggressive, territorial fish and should be treated as such. It will hunt anything small enough to swallow and will bully fish it cannot eat. Keep it only with robust Central American cichlids and large catfish in a spacious tank, or as a single specimen or bonded pair. It is not a community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA carnivore and opportunistic piscivore. Feed a quality cichlid pellet as the staple and supplement with frozen or fresh meaty foods such as prawn, mussel and earthworm. Avoid a diet of live feeder fish, which carries disease and offers poor nutrition. Feed sensibly — this species will gorge.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 300 L for a single fish, with 450 L or more strongly preferred for adults or any combination. Keep temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.0 and GH moderately hard, around 8–20. Powerful filtration, generous water changes and a robust rock-and-wood layout suit it best. It will dig and rearrange, so it is not reliably plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn open, substrate-spawning cichlid that forms pairs and guards its eggs and fry fiercely. A compatible pair will clean a flat rock or pit and both parents defend the brood, becoming especially dangerous to tank mates while spawning. Pair aggression can be intense, so provide space and cover.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eParachromis motaguensis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed Tiger Motaguense, Motaguense Cichlid, Yellow Jacket Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral America (Guatemala and Honduras, Río Motagua system)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 30 cm (large males can be bigger)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAggressive, territorial and predatory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate to advanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore: quality pellets, frozen and fresh meaty foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerately hard, around 8–20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge, robust Central American cichlid aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo — likely to dig and uproot plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBest kept alone, as a pair, or with similarly robust large cichlids such as other Parachromis, large Vieja or Amphilophus, plus big armoured catfish like Pterygoplichthys, all in a spacious tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with small or peaceful community fish, slow long-finned fish, and anything small enough to be eaten. Not suitable for a general community aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232811303203,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232811335971,"sku":"BA9050","price":74.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232811368739,"sku":null,"price":84.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm)","offer_id":55351967514915,"sku":null,"price":94.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Red_Tiger_Motaguensis_828e9f20-c348-4b01-aa4b-a4319f20a950.jpg?v=1781699466","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/red-tiger-motaguensis-parachromis-motaguensis","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}