Yellow Jacket Cichlid (Parachromis friedrichsthalii) Care Guide
Parachromis friedrichsthalii is a predatory Central American cichlid from the Atlantic slope of Honduras and Guatemala, known for ambushing prey by feigning death.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Parachromis friedrichsthalii is a predatory cichlid from Central America, described by Heckel in 1840. It is named after the explorer Emanuel von Friedrichsthal, who collected specimens in Central America. The species is popular with anglers as a gamefish and is also found in the aquarium trade.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Parachromis
- Scientific name: Parachromis friedrichsthalii
- Described by: Heckel, 1840
Habitat
Wikipedia records the species along the Atlantic slope of Central America, from western Honduras to northern Guatemala.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 500 L
- Temperature: 25-29 °C (77-84 °F)
- pH: 7.0-8.0
- GH: 8-18 °dGH
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
Diet
The species is a carnivore and predator. Wikipedia describes an unusual hunting strategy in which it lies immobile near the bottom, feigning death; when smaller fish approach to pick at the apparently dead fish, it ambushes them. This behaviour is compared to Lake Malawi cichlids of the genus Nimbochromis.
Compatibility
Parachromis friedrichsthalii is an aggressive predator that grows large and requires a spacious tank. Small fish are eaten, and most other cichlids are unsuitable tankmates. Suitable companions are limited to large, robust species able to withstand its temperament.
Breeding
The species is a substrate-spawning cichlid. Detailed reproduction data was not available from the consulted sources.
Parachromis friedrichsthalii Breeding Guide
Overview
Parachromis friedrichsthalii is a predatory Central American cichlid native to the Atlantic slope from western Honduras to northern Guatemala, including the Usumacinta River in Mexico, Belize and Guatemala (Wikipedia, FishBase). It reaches about 28 cm in length, has a golden-yellow colouration with a dark horizontal band and is known for an ambush strategy of lying motionless before striking prey. Like other Parachromis it is a biparental substrate spawner.
Sexing
Detailed sexual dimorphism for this species is not documented in the consulted sources beyond general Parachromis traits. As with the genus, males typically grow larger and develop more pointed, extended dorsal and anal fins, which is the usual basis for distinguishing the sexes.
Breeding Setup
A large tank with sand and flat spawning surfaces suits this predatory species. FishBase lists a temperature range of 26-30 °C for the species and notes that it enters brackish water in the wild; specific pH and hardness breeding figures are not provided in the consulted sources.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
As a substrate spawner in the genus Parachromis, a pair cleans a surface, spawns on it and guards the eggs and fry together. Species-specific spawning behavior is not detailed in the consulted whitelisted sources, so this is described at the genus level.
Egg & Fry Care
A spawn produces about 500-700 eggs (FishBase). Both parents tend the brood, consistent with the biparental care typical of the genus. A dedicated grow-out tank helps manage the predatory fry.
Common Challenges
Pairing aggressive Parachromis can be difficult, and an incompatible partner may be harmed; growing several juveniles together and letting a pair form is the usual approach. The predatory adults need a robust, spacious setup.