Amatitlania sajica
Amatitlania sajica was described by Bussing in 1974. The genus name Amatitlania means “belonging to: Lake Amatitlán, Guatemala, the type locality of type species, A. nigrofasciata. “Amatitlán” means “a place rich in amate” in Nahuatl, amate is a type of rustic paper made from the bark of Ficus petiolaris or Ficus indica). The species name “sajica” is an acronym of the first two letters of the first and last names of father and mother of Salvador Jiménez Canossa (1922-1986), director of the Library of Congress of Costa Rica, a “friend and experienced field collector” who accompanied Bussing on most of his early collection of trips in Costa Rica, and “through his enthusiasm and curiosity about nature, he contributed immensely to their success”
Description
In the wild, the Amatitlania sajica can grow up to about 12 centimeters in length. The females remain slightly smaller. In the aquarium they usually do not reach this length. There are two color variants of this fish.
Synonyms: Cryptoheros sajica, Archocentrus sajica, Cichlasoma sajica.
Character
This fish is relatively peaceful and sometimes shy, making it best to keep them in pairs. They can coexist with other Central American cichlids, such as Cichlasoma species, but it’s important to avoid keeping them with Amatitlania nigrofasciata, also known as the Zebra Cichlid, as these species can interbreed.
Origin
Costa Rica.
The aquarium
An aquarium of at least 1.80 meters is required for the Amatitlania sajica. Set up the tank with hard plants, stones and driftwood so that holes and hiding places are created, the bottom must consist of sand. The plants are generally left alone, only during the mating season they often toss and turn in the soil.
Water parameters
Temperature: 25-29 Celsius
PH: 6,5-8
GH: 12-16
Diet
Amatitlania sajica are omnivores, requiring a varied diet. Both live and frozen foods can be offered, including mosquito larvae, mysis, and artemia, to ensure they receive sufficient nutrition.
Breeding Amatitlania sajica
Breeding Amatitlania sajica is relatively straightforward. The female typically lays up to 300 eggs in a hole, which are then fertilized. The water temperature should be around 26 degrees Celsius. The eggs will hatch after about three days, and the fry will begin to swim freely after approximately one week. Both parents participate in brood care: the female guards the nest while the male defends the territory, although their roles can sometimes be reversed. The young fish can be fed with artemia nauplii.
Video
Author
Coby
Copyright images
John de Lange
Jeff Rapps – Tangledupincichlids.com