T-Bar Cichlid (Sajica)

Cryptoheros sajica

The T-Bar Cichlid (*Cryptoheros sajica*) is a small and gorgeous Central American cichlid closely related to the much more infamous Convict, but fortunately equipped with a distinctly more manageable temperament. It takes its name from the distinct dark vertical band in the center of the body which, crossing with the horizontal lateral line, forms a perfect letter "T". Males exhibit breathtaking purple and metallic blue reflections with a marked bright blue eye, while the smaller females sport golden yellow fins. Barely reaching 10-12 cm (4-5 inches), it is a very robust cichlid perfect for those who want the bursting character of Central American fish in a medium-sized tank.

Family: Cichlidae
Origin: Centro America (Fiumi del versante pacifico della Costa Rica)
Tank use: Used in 0 tanks

Temperature

23 °C - 27 °C

6.5 - 8

Water type

Freshwater

Tank level

Zona inferiore e media. Navigano rasente il fondale entrando e uscendo continuamente dalle tane.

Adult size

12 cm

Description

The Letter on the Flank:

Its English name, "T-Bar", comes from the fact that of the 7 faded vertical bands it possesses as a juvenile, only the third central band remains ink-black in adulthood. This band intersects in a cross with the horizontal line, forming a capital letter "T" printed on the flank of each specimen.

Care and observations

The Peaceful Alternative (Better than the Convict):

If you like the bulldozer look and bluish color of the terrible "Convict Cichlid", but want to avoid the slaughter of all your other fish, the T-Bar is the species to buy. It is genetically almost identical, but much more tolerant and much less prone to gratuitous murderous fury. It will be able to live in a 100-120 liter (25-30 gallon) aquarium in total peace (except when it lays eggs).

Digging Machines:

Like almost all river cichlids, they dedicate the entire day to interior architecture. The aquarium must have a bottom of sand or very fine gravel without edges. They will overturn or bury any small stone as they please. To see them happy, place a terracotta garden pot (new and clean) lying on its side: they will immediately elect it as their castle.

Background-Dependent Coloration:

Often in stores they look grayish. Their spectacular cyclamen/purple and cobalt blue color (accompanied by the bright yellow of the females) explodes solely if they are housed in an aquarium with a very dark or black background and substrate. On white gravel they will fade for camouflage.

Fish profile

Temperament: Pacifico rispetto agli standard centroamericani, ma pur sempre territoriale. Difenderanno la loro grotta spingendo via i curiosi. Durante la riproduzione, tuttavia, si trasformano: diventeranno macchine da guerra iper-aggressive per proteggere le uova.
Diet: Onnivoro Predatore. Accettano immediatamente di tutto: pellet, scaglie affondanti, spirulina, dafnie, chironomus. Spesso masticano la sabbia per cercare micro-crostacei.
Tank level: Zona inferiore e media. Navigano rasente il fondale entrando e uscendo continuamente dalle tane.
Minimum group: 2
Adult size: 12 cm
Minimum tank: 100 L
GH: 5 dGH - 20 dGH
KH: n/a
TDS: n/a
Conductivity: n/a
Sex ratio: Coppie strettamente monogame. Il maschio è più grande, sviluppa pinne molto allungate a punta, toni più bluastri e una gobba nucale. La femmina è tozza, ha pinne arrotondate color giallo vivo e l'addome più rotondo.
Feeding frequency: 1-2 volte al giorno.
Bioload: Medio
Flow: Corrente da Moderata a Forte. Amano il flusso ossigenato.
Reproduction: Allevatori eccezionali e iper-prolifici. Depongono all'interno di caverne buie (Spawners cavernicoli). Le cure biparentali sono feroci e magistrali; è comunissimo che riescano a portare decine di avannotti all'età adulta perfino in un acquario di comunità difendendo il raggio di un metro intorno alla grotta.
Compatibility: NON adatti a pesci timidi o minuscoli (Neon) che verranno stressati a morte dalle parate territoriali. Buoni compagni in vasche medio-grandi sono i Caracidi molto robusti e veloci (Buenos Aires Tetra), grandi vivipari (Portaspada) e Plecostomus.

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.