Andinoacara stalsbergi (Silver Saum) Care Guide
Andinoacara stalsbergi, the Silver Saum or white-tail green terror, is a Peruvian cichlid related to the green terror, kept in spacious aquaria.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Andinoacara stalsbergi, marketed as the Silver Saum or white-tail green terror, is a South American cichlid described as a separate species in 2009. It is closely related to the green terror Andinoacara rivulatus but is distinguished by narrow, clearly defined white edging to the tail and dorsal fin. It is named after the Norwegian aquarist Alf Stalsberg.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Andinoacara
- Scientific name: Andinoacara stalsbergi
- Common synonym: White Tail Green Terror
Habitat
The species inhabits trans-Andean rivers and lakes of the Peruvian Pacific coast, from Piura to Ica, distinguishing it from A. rivulatus of northwestern Peru and Ecuador. Recorded localities include several coastal lagoons and rivers.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 250 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.8
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
Andinoacara stalsbergi is omnivorous, with a trophic level indicating a mixed diet. In the aquarium it accepts prepared cichlid foods supplemented with live and frozen meaty items and some vegetable matter.
Compatibility
Although sold under the green terror name, this species is described as less aggressive than the red terror Mesoheros festae. It is a semi-aggressive, mid-water cichlid best kept with similarly robust tankmates; small fish should be avoided.
Breeding
The species is a substrate spawner. Males mature at about 10 cm and females at about 8 cm; females deposit several hundred eggs, which hatch in three to four days, with fry becoming free-swimming after roughly nine to twelve days.
Silver Saum (Andinoacara stalsbergi) Breeding Guide
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.