TankBud

T-bar cichlid

Amatitlania sajica

Also known as T-bar convict, Sajica cichlid, Cryptoheros sajica, Archocentrus sajica

FreshwaterFish

T-bar cichlid (Amatitlania sajica)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
4.7 in
12 cm
Minimum tank
40 gal
150 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Cave spawner · Easy
Rarity
Common
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Pacific slope of Costa Rica, in rivers and streams with moderate current over gravel and small rocks.

Overview

The t-bar cichlid is a convict relative and a good first Central American cichlid to breed. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

Unlike its convict cousins, the t-bar cichlid stays fairly calm outside of breeding. That makes it easier to house in a mixed setup.

Caring for the t-bar cichlid

Keep a pair of t-bar cichlids in at least 40 gal (150 L). Give them rocks, wood and sturdy decor for territory, with a few caves, flat stones and hollows.

Hold the water at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Feed pellets, frozen foods and some vegetable matter.

The t-bar cichlid is mostly peaceful and stays near the bottom, but choose its tank mates with some caution. It is a cave spawner, and females stay smaller than males and flush gold when spawning. Breeding it is easy.

Good to know

The t-bar cichlid, Amatitlania sajica, was described by Bussing in 1974. It has also been filed under Cryptoheros and Archocentrus. It is named for the T-bar, a vertical black bar that crosses the midlateral stripe near the tail to form a T.

In the wild

The t-bar cichlid comes from Pacific-slope rivers and streams of Costa Rica. It lives over gravel and small rocks in water with moderate current.

From published sources

Tank mates

Each fish here is named as a tank mate for the t-bar cichlid by at least two published care guides. A spawning pair turns fiercely territorial, so tank mates need room to retreat.

Sources: Fishkeeper (Maidenhead Aquatics), Riverpark Aquatics, Imperial Tropicals, Aquarium Glaser (Frank Schäfer), Roxy Aquarium.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a t-bar cichlid need?

A t-bar cichlid needs at least 40 gal (150 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a t-bar cichlid need?

A t-bar cichlid is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does a t-bar cichlid eat?

A t-bar cichlid eats pellets and frozen foods, along with some vegetable matter.

How big does a t-bar cichlid get?

An adult t-bar cichlid reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).

How can you tell a male t-bar cichlid from a female?

Females stay smaller than males and flush gold when spawning.

How does a t-bar cichlid breed?

T-bar cichlids are cave spawners, and the female flushes gold when spawning. Breeding them is easy.

What fish can live with the t-bar cichlid?

Published care guides name firemouth cichlid, Buenos Aires tetra and green swordtail. A spawning pair turns fiercely territorial, so tank mates need room to retreat.

Related species