Cryptoheros sajica
Sajica cichlid ( Cryptoheros Sajica )
The Sajica cichlid ( Cryptoheros Sajica, Syn Cichlasoma Sajica, Archocentrus Sajica ), also called among aquarists Costa Rican tilapia, is a rather peaceful representative of the cichlid family from Central America.
Occurrence
The Sajica cichlid is a Central American freshwater fish that originates from southern Costa Rica between the Punto Mala and the Rio Esquinas Basin.
He comes from river habitats with stones, hiding places and sandy soil or fine gravel, in which he digs. Overall, the Sajica cichlid is considered relatively hardy and adaptable in terms of water levels. The water temperature is in their area of distribution between 22 ° C and 27 ° C. The pH is 6.5-7.5.
Appearance
The Sajica cichlid males can reach a size of about 18 centimeters, which is rarely exceeded. The female, however, remains at about 12 centimeters.
His body is slender and laterally compressed. The head is blunt and very much has pronounced lips. The body has a gray -blue to gray color, in addition he has darker stripes and bandages. Upon excitation, the Sajica able to very quickly change its color to almost the mark. At the lower edge of gill cover and to the sides of the body and the fins edges often are bright bluish spots.
A gender difference is clearly visible externally. The males have in the adult age, a high forehead and the fins are reddish in color. The females, however, have only a flat forehead and the fins are yellowish.
Behavior
Overall Sajica cichlids are rather quiet. Among themselves and also other fish to them to develop a very aggressive during the mating season. During the mating and breeding season they can tackle the aquarist when working in the aquarium, which speaks for their high brood care.
With the zebra cichlid ( Archocentrus nigrofasciatus, Syn Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum, Cryptoheros nigrofasciatum ) it does happen to intersections, since both are very closely related. So there must be other than in private aquariums of the socialization of both species.
Mating and breeding behavior
The actual spawning is preceded by a very long courtship behavior, which can drag on for young and inexperienced fish well for months. The male digs pits and this also undermines constructions, which serves the posturing. The female uses many times these sites for spawning and breeding area is cleaned by both partners. All plants will be on this area then in many cases torn and stones removed. The area is heavily defended from there.
The Sajica cichlid is an open- nesting birds. For Spawning he chooses like caves. The Sajica cichlid pairs jointly operate an intensive brood care before and after hatching.
The first nest comprise about 300 eggs and these show a yellowish color. After just three days in the future the slip. The larvae are again reburied in various pits. After five days, the young fish can swim freely and absorb food.
Nutrition
In the wild this fish feeds on other fish, earthworms, crustaceans, insects, small frogs and molluscs. But in the hobby he is satisfy with dry food and live food. A varied diet is essential.
Aquarium maintenance
The Sajica cichlid enjoys in private hunting and great popularity and is often seen in community aquariums with equal-sized fish. Also the breeding success is high, and now various cultivated forms are available.