Silver Saum (Andinoacara stalsbergi) Breeding Guide
How to breed Andinoacara stalsbergi: sexing by nuchal hump, flat-rock substrate spawning, biparental care of 300-600 eggs, and fry rearing.
Overview
Andinoacara stalsbergi is a cichlid found in rivers and other freshwater habitats in western Peru, from Piura to Ica. It is a substrate spawner that forms biparental pairs, and both parents take part in guarding the eggs and the resulting larvae and fry. The species reaches a size comparable to its relative Andinoacara rivulatus.
Sexing
Males develop a nuchal hump from around the first year, which is the most reliable external sexing trait. Males also mature at a larger size than females, reaching maturity at about 10 cm, while females mature at about 8 cm.
Breeding Setup
Provide suitable breeding sites in the form of flat rocks, on which the pair can clean a spawning surface. Reported water parameters for the species are a temperature of 20-24 degrees C (68-75 degrees F), pH 6.5-8.0, and a hardness of 5-12 dH.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Before breeding the pair cleans the chosen flat-rock site. Females can deposit up to 300-400 eggs, and some individuals produce more than 600 eggs, attached to the cleaned surface.
Egg & Fry Care
The pair is protective of the eggs, which hatch after 3-4 days. The parents continue to guard and care for the larvae, moving the fry into pits dug in the substrate. The fry become free-swimming after 9-12 days, and at around 2 cm in length they typically experience a growth spurt.