{"product_id":"yellow-jacket-cichlid-parachromis-friedrichsthalii","title":"Yellow Jacket Cichlid | Parachromis friedrichsthalii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Yellow Jacket Cichlid is a golden, black-blotched predator with attitude to match, one of the larger and more challenging Central American cichlids in the hobby. Reaching up to 30cm, it is a hardy, aggressive ambush hunter best suited to a dedicated large-species tank or a rough-and-tumble grow-out setup rather than a general community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParachromis friedrichsthalii is native to the Atlantic-slope rivers, lakes and lagoons of Central America, from Belize and Guatemala down through Honduras and Nicaragua. It favours warm, sluggish or still waters with cover from submerged wood, rock and vegetation, from which it ambushes prey — even feigning death to lure smaller fish within striking range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA large, elongated predatory cichlid with a golden-yellow body scattered with dark blotches along the flanks and a prominent dark eye-stripe. Adult males grow noticeably larger than females and develop a more pronounced nuchal profile and stronger colour when in breeding condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAggressive and territorial, with a genuine predatory streak — this is a fish that sees anything smaller than itself as a potential meal. It is best kept singly or as a well-matched pair in a large species or large-cichlid tank, not in a general community. Even paired adults can turn on each other if the tank is too small or lacks broken sightlines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA carnivore with a big appetite. Offer a quality large-cichlid pellet or stick as the staple, supplemented with prawn, whitebait, earthworms and other meaty foods. Feed in modest portions two to three times daily rather than one large meal, and expect a hearty bioload requiring strong filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a big, messy, predatory fish and not one for beginners or small tanks. Provide a minimum of 400 litres for a single adult, 600 litres or more for a pair or larger setup, with powerful filtration and regular substantial water changes. Furnish with sturdy rockwork, caves and driftwood for territory, leaving open water for swimming, and use a secure lid as large cichlids can be surprisingly good jumpers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn open substrate-spawning cichlid that forms strong, aggressive pairs. Both parents guard the eggs and fry fiercely once spawning begins, and tankmates (including each other, if not well matched) can be at real risk during this period. A very large, well-structured tank is essential for safe breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eParachromis friedrichsthalii\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYellow Jacket Cichlid (Friedrichsthal's Cichlid)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAtlantic slope of Central America (Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to about 28 cm (males); females somewhat smaller\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8-12 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAggressive, territorial, predatory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdvanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e400 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e600 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore: cichlid pellets\/sticks, prawn, whitebait, earthworms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24-28°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.0-8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerately hard, around 8-20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge-species and large predatory-cichlid aquariums (experienced keepers)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo — large, boisterous and predatory; will uproot plants and eat small fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther large, robust Central American cichlids of similar size and temperament, large plecos and sturdy dither fish able to hold their own in a spacious tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny small or peaceful community fish, which will be seen as food, plus soft-water species and delicate tankmates. Not suitable for general community aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232812908835,"sku":"AA3640-S","price":34.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232812941603,"sku":"AA3640","price":39.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232812974371,"sku":"AA3640-L","price":44.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-25cm)","offer_id":55351967875363,"sku":"AA3640-XL","price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/yellow-jacket-cichlid-parach-43887394914595.webp?v=1790306325","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/yellow-jacket-cichlid-parachromis-friedrichsthalii","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}