Yellowjacket Cichlid

Parachromis friedrichsthalii is distributed across Atlantic-slope rivers of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. Adults develop a striking yellow-gold body overlaid with irregular black blotches, particularly prominent in males. Like all Parachromis, it is a dedicated piscivore requiring appropriately large tank mates or a species-only setup. Males can reach 30 cm and become highly territorial.

Water: 24–30°C, pH 7.0–8.0, moderately hard (GH 10–20). Tank: 500L minimum for adults; robust decor or minimal furnishing; strong filtration essential. Feeding: Carnivore; large pellets, large feeder invertebrates, whole fish; feed 2–3x weekly. Behaviour: Highly aggressive and territorial; best housed alone or with equally large robust species. Compatibility: Species-only recommended; may coexist with very large robust cichlids in jumbo tanks.