Archocentrus Sajica

This is one of the smaller Central American Cichlids, which is rather more peaceful than some of the larger others. It is found in the small streams & lakes on the Pacific side of Costa Rica, Central America.

This cichlid belongs to a small number of species which were discovered recently (Bussing 1974). It was then brought by Daniel Fromm to the USA and in 1979 to Germany before being bred and distributed within the hobby.

I came across my fish whilst looking around a fish outlet in south Yorkshire. I was looking for another smaller Central American of nastier attitudes and since there were none I decides to purchase 6 one inch youngsters.(3 pairs).On getting them back home they were housed in one tank. As time went on one of the males showed signs that he wanted to breed, so I separated the rest leaving him and his chosen female. On first attempt they bred and 20+ fry were soon to be herded around the tank. Sadly they lasted about 10 days. (This went on for 4 more times.)

The other two pairs were separated into different tanks (one pair per tank).One pair died but the other settled down and they produced 40+ fry. These fry I transferred to one of my growing-on tanks, where they have stayed until the auctions, when some were sold. Due to shortage within my fish-house, the two pairs were housed in tanks next door so they could see each other. Not realising the problems this would cause, a constant weariness of opposing territories and more to the point none wanted to breed! So I had to transfer one pair away to a 24x12x12 inch with under-tank heater, leaving the other in an unheated tank of 24x18x18 inch.

The pair in 24x12x12 inch was decorated with a sand base plant pots, a piece of slate and Java Moss; a box filter at one side. Within a week the tank was re-decorated the way they (the fish wanted) and a clutch of eggs laid by one of pots (26/01/2007). Four days later a mass of wrigglers were apparent although they were later moved out of my prying eye-sight! On the morning of 04/02/2007 both parents showed me their off-spring about 80+ and what a sight they were. Both parents attended to them, at times when I went to feed them, the female went into attack mode at me and water splashed at the top of the tank! But since then things have settled down and the fry are growing. < See picture >

The other pair in 24x18x18 inch tank was decorated with a sand base and a plant pot on its side with bog wood partly blocking its entrance and a box filter in the corner. On 24/02/2007 the female donned her breeding dress. I knew she had eggs but was unable to see them. About 10 days later their fry appeared about 40 but they were very small (a bit like Gourami fry) and I wondered if they would last a week. Well to-day (12/03/2007) they are still mooching around the tank and always hungry.

Both fry are fed Sera Micron™ powdered food and the older ones Sera™ Mikropan stage 2 Mini-Flake. The parents get a general flake with frozen blood-worm once a week.

Tank parameters: - pH 7.5-8.0: GH 2-4: KH 2-5: Temp 77-84F:
Conductivity 308-364.

I have found water-changes are limited to once a month.

Males grow to a length of 12cms whilst females are slightly smaller 8cms.It is easy to distinguish between the sexes. The male colouration is yellowish brown over the body with a distinctive T-bar horizontal and on his gill cover a light blue. His dorsal fin is tinged with a deep wine-red and in its membranes an iridescent pale blue. He also has a black spot on his caudal. In older males they may grow a hump on the head.

Females are less brightly coloured, the main body is grey although around the gills a blue paler tinge. The dorsal is yellow with a black rim on the outer part. Both sexes have up to seven vertical bands .When the female is in their breeding mode their colour changes. The female darkens at the front of her body and displays a vertical black line through the centre of he body.

We all think Central American Cichlids to be aggressive and big, but this species is anything but (except when breeding). It has a character of its own and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a peaceful easy to breed fish.

Photograph taken by author.

Ian R.Fairweather © 2007

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