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.
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.