Should I Get My Jaguar A Mate?

[Darkmoon Bettas]

I have a very healthy, happy male jaguar (managuense) in a 90-gallon tank, just him and 2 plecos. He’s mature, about 8 inches body length, but not full grown. As far as jags go, he’s very very mellow, even tempered, and quite people oriented.

I have the somewhat unusual chance to buy a known female (she’s laid eggs) an inch or so bigger than he. The biggest problem with buying jags is they’re usually tiny—2 inches tops—and unsexed, so trying to put together a pair can be tricky.

However, I’m afraid of 2 things—first, that he just wouldn’t get along with her, and she’s from a private seller who’s moving, so I couldn’t take her back. Second, I’m afraid they’d pair up and be really happy, but he’d turn aggressive and lose his interest in people. But at the same time, that sounds really, really selfish, y’know? “I just want him to pay attention to ME!â€

Any thoughts/advice?

*edit* I'm prepared, space, time, and resourcewise to raise any spawns that occour, and have enough avenues to responsibly re-home the fry, so that's not a concern if I do get her.

 

[Sp3nc3r]

i dont know alot about jags, but when it comes to oscars, if one has been there for a long time, and you add another of any size the one that was first in the tank will chase the new oscar non-stop

in my honest opinion, i dont think you should get the female unless you are pro at introducing them, or you can get her if you have a back up plan in case they dont get along *such as another 55 or 75 or w.e*

but its your choice you do what you think is best good luck

p.s *if you do get her post some pics*

 

[ox5477]

I would agree, if you put a new fish in an established tank, then there are good chances for major hostility. Bout the best advice would be to take your jag out, and put him in a second tank if you have it or maybe a bucket for 20 min or so while you move the tank contents around. Then reintroduce him along with the female. They might fight for a little while, but might actually settle down and start following eachother around. He might think that he moved to a new location and therefore be forced to accept the new fish. But then again, they might just fight and fight and fight and fight... then you need to take one out into aother tank so make sure you have somewhere to put whoever you take out if the pair doenst work.... thats about the best chance you have of pairing them.

Introducing two adult cichlids is a very hard thing to do and don't be too upset if the pairing doesn't happen as it is very unlikely... but still, if it does happen, then both their qualities of life will increase! I wish you the best of luck if you do introduce them together

 

[LisaLQ]

If you're going to go for another jag, and they do get along, you're going to need a much much bigger tank

 

[Ferris]

Useful info on jaguar's:

http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=9