All fish / Cichlidae

T-bar cichlid

Amatitlania sajica

Also known as sajica cichlid, t-bar, cichlasoma sajica, archocentrus sajica, cryptoheros sajica, sajica, t bar cichlid, シクラソマ・サジカ, T字短鲷, T字丽鱼

A compact Central American cichlid with a greyish-brown body and a dark bar along the flank meeting a vertical bar, giving the T shape behind its name. Males grow longer fins with a bluish sheen and females often show gold or orange on the belly. It is kept for its manageable size, hardiness and absorbing pair behaviour.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7 to 8

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

A single pair, or one fish with robust tankmates

Diet

Omnivore: cichlid pellets, flakes with plant matter, bloodworm, brine shrimp and blanched vegetables

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Pacific slope rivers of Costa Rica

Breeding

A substrate spawner that pairs readily and lays eggs in a cave or on a flat stone, with both parents guarding the eggs and free-swimming fry. Breeding is easy in captivity, though the pair becomes very territorial while raising young.

Good to know

Pairs can be harsh on tankmates when spawning, so provide caves and avoid small or timid fish. It is milder than the related convict cichlid but still needs space to set up territories.