Cryptoheros sajica Breeding Guide

Breeding the T-bar cichlid Cryptoheros sajica, a cave or open substrate spawner where the female guards eggs and the male defends territory.

Overview

Cryptoheros sajica, the T-bar cichlid (now also placed in Amatitlania), is a dwarf convict relative from the Pacific slope of Costa Rica, where it lives in freshwater streams and lakes with moderate to strong currents at elevations up to about 2,000 feet. Males reach about 12 cm. It is named for the T-shaped mark formed where the prominent third body bar meets a dark lateral stripe running from the gill cover.

Sexing

Mature females ready to spawn develop golden-yellow coloration on the dorsal and anal fins. Males are generally larger.

Breeding Setup

• Provide caves and enclosed spaces; the species uses cave spawning most often but also spawns on open substrate.
• Use sand substrate so the pair can prepare nursery pits.
• Offer line-of-sight breaks to reduce male aggression toward the female.
• A tank of roughly 150 L suits a pair.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

As they come into condition the pair develops high-contrast breeding colours and displays at a chosen site. While the female cleans the spawning surface the male patrols the perimeter. The female deposits 50-200 eggs depending on her size (reports of up to about 300), which the male fertilises immediately; spawning can continue for over an hour. The female then guards the eggs, fanning them with her pectoral fins.

Egg & Fry Care

Eggs are small and whitish to brownish-transparent for camouflage. They hatch into wrigglers after about 3 to 4 days, and the parents move them to a prepared pit. The wrigglers feed on their yolk sacs and become free-swimming after another 4 to 5 days. The female handles most brood care while the male defends the territory.

Common Challenges

Males can be dangerously aggressive toward an unreceptive female, sometimes harming her before spawning. Provide hiding spots and, if needed, a divider, and ensure the female has escape routes.