Growth and survival of jaguar guapote (Cichlasoma managuense) larvae fed various levels of Artemia nauplii in a primary nursing phase of 10 days were investigated. Mean maintenance, optimum and maximum rations were about 60, 250 and 1700 nauplii/fish day-1 in this period. At the optimum feeding ration, the final fresh weight was about 47%, the growth rate about 60% and the percentage dry weight about 95% of the levels at maximum feeding, while feed costs were only 15% as high. Growth coefficients and apparent feed conversions of guapote larvae fed Artemia nauplii were compared with data from other species. Guapote larvae grew slower than other comparable warm-water species, but feed conversion was more favourable.