Description
False Yellow Jacket Cichlid – Striking, Powerful, and Full of Attitude
(Parachromis motaguensis)
The False Yellow Jacket Cichlid (Parachromis motaguensis) is a vibrant and aggressive Central American species prized for its stunning red and gold coloration, sharp vertical markings, and fearless personality. Native to rivers in Guatemala and Honduras, this powerhouse of a fish is often overshadowed by its cousin, the Jaguar Cichlid, but it boasts equally bold beauty with even more intense coloration when mature.
Key Features:
-
Fiery Coloration: Mature specimens develop intense red flanks, golden highlights, and distinctive black barring
-
Large and Commanding: Grows up to 30 cm (12 inches) with a strong presence
-
Territorial and Intelligent: Highly interactive and fiercely protective when breeding
-
Rare in the Hobby: A standout choice for serious cichlid enthusiasts
-
False Yellow Jacket Name: A nickname given due to its resemblance to juvenile Parachromis friedrichsthalii
Tank Requirements:
-
Minimum Tank Size: 300 liters (75 gallons) for a single; larger for pairs or mixed setups
-
Temperature: 24°C–28°C
-
pH Range: 7.0–8.0
-
Requires strong filtration, rocky décor, and open swimming space
-
Best kept solo, in a bonded pair, or with similarly sized, robust Central American cichlids
Compatibility:
-
Highly aggressive—only mix with fish that can hold their own (such as oscars, other Parachromis, or large Vieja species)
-
Not suitable for community tanks or small/timid species
-
Can be kept alone or with a compatible mate in a species setup
Feeding:
-
Carnivorous—feed a varied diet of high-quality cichlid pellets, frozen shrimp, earthworms, and occasional live foods
-
Juveniles can be raised on flakes and crushed pellets
-
Feed 1–2 times daily in controlled portions to maintain health and color
Why Choose Parachromis motaguensis?
With its glowing red hues, bold personality, and impressive size, the False Yellow Jacket Cichlid is an ideal centerpiece for experienced aquarists. If you're looking for a visually stunning fish with serious presence and intelligence, P. motaguensis delivers in every way.
Click & Collect
Livestock will only be bagged once you arrive, or if you contact us in advance to request it ready beforehand.
Local Delivery
Order anything from our in-store range and have it delivered right to you.
-
Minimum spend: £50
-
Delivery up to 10 miles: £10
-
Delivery up to 25 miles: £20
Distances are measured “as the crow flies”, not by road.
Once your order is placed, we’ll be in touch to arrange a suitable delivery date and time.
Please note, delivery may take a little longer as we often group orders together to build an efficient delivery run.
Important: If you’re ordering a large aquarium, please ensure someone is available to help unload the van on arrival.
Dry Goods Delivery
-
DPD Next Day: 1 working day (order before 12 noon)
-
DX Next Day (Heavy Items & Small Aquariums): 1 working day (order before 12 noon)
-
Express Pallet: 1–3 working days
If you'd like to add more items to an existing order that hasn't yet been dispatched, please place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to combine the orders.
Please note: We currently only dispatch parcels Wednesday to Friday.
Pre-Order
Want the full details? Check out our Terms & Conditions.
Livestock Delivery
Thursday Delivery – £24
-
Dispatched Wednesday afternoon
-
Delivered Thursday before 1pm
-
Order by Wednesday 12 noon
-
Minimum spend: £50
Friday Delivery – £24
-
Dispatched Thursday afternoon
-
Delivered Friday before 1pm
-
Order by Thursday 12 noon
-
Minimum spend: £50
Saturday Delivery – £29
-
Dispatched Friday afternoon
-
Delivered Saturday before 1pm
-
Order by Friday 12 noon
-
Minimum spend: £50
📦 Want to Add to an Existing Order?
No problem! Just place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to link it with your original one (as long as it hasn’t been dispatched yet).
🛒 Dry Goods Now Included!
You can now include dry goods in your livestock delivery – perfect for topping up supplies in one go.
❄️ Please note: We can’t send frozen food with livestock – please order frozen items separately.
⚠️ Delivery Exclusions
Unfortunately, we’re unable to deliver livestock to the following postcodes:
Scotland & Isles:
AB30–AB56, DD8–DD10, DG3–DG9, DG12–DG14, FK17–FK21, KA18–KA19, KA26–KA30, PA20–PA38, PA80, PH3–PH40
Cornwall Isles: TR21–TR25
All of the following postcodes are excluded:
BT, HS, IM, IV, JE, KW
Plus Channel Islands and Shetland Islands
Payment & Security
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.