Archocentrus Sajica, Or T Bar Cichlid.

[sub.42]

Hiya all, been a little while since I posted, hope you can help. Have recently changed to a single Juwel Rio 180 tank, and have introduced a male and female Archocentrus Sajica to the fold. WOW! Just how touchy are these little blighters.....

First, I'm a little worried about the stories of the male killing the female if she is not ready to spawn. Am I better off getting a couple more females? Or will they just fight? They seem to be getting straight down to business, and have already dug up almost every plant and under nearly all the rocks in my tank!

Mum is hiding behind my bogwood, in a pit dug by both of them. Dad is on guard, mum only comes out for food. I cant see if there are eggs or not, and its frustrating! Mums colour has changed dramatically, and her eyes are almost silver blue instead of bright blue.

I want babies! My Gourami is trying to investigate, but the fact that Daddy is ten time his size is amusing. He (Sajica) puffs his gills and rants at the Gourami, only for him to be upstaged by Mummy Saj, whom proceeds to beat the crap out of anything that gets too close...Daddy Saj only sits and watches.

Tank has several juvenile jade eye's about an inch to an inch and a half floating about, and a couple of v small rainbows, whom are getting the brunt of Mum Saj's temper.

Any advice would be helpfull, I'm kinda new to these New World critters, but I really like them. Also how long does it take for Jade eyes to become mature enough to breed? I dont think I could cope with too many fry in the tank.

Thanks, Sub.

 

[moneywastedonfish]

i have never kept these fish but was going to at one stage so did some reading and from what i can remember since yours seem to have paired i would definately avoid adding anymore sajicas or any other Archocentrus spp. for that matter as they are reported to be monogamous and will likely see any other sajiac or Archocentrus as an intruder, congrats on the breeding straight up like that must be a well set up tank, also it is advisable for Archocentrus species breeders to have a spare tank that they can remove either the male or female to if aggression becomes an issue, try the net for which sex to remove.
Hope i helped, some one will likely correct me if i'm wrong.

 

[sub.42]

Ahhh, Well, now they've started playing about....

My plecs are GETTING it!

They have decided that they don't like them in the same tank, and are constantly harrasing them. I would'nt mind but they (Saj's) have taken over the centre stage of my tank altogether, everybody else is too scared to come out...

I guess they might settle after a while. I'l just keep the other tank running shall I?......

Thanks for the advice.

Sub.

 

[rvm]

I have a breeding pair of Sajicas as well (beautiful fish BTW!!) and mine are not overly aggressive at all. I keep them with a couple of Rainbow Cichlids, a Blue Acara, Senegal Bichir, ABF and a Bristlenose. When mine breed, they will chase the others away, but never actually full on attack them. Maybe it's because the other fish have the sense to get away when they are chased!!
You will almost certainely have eggs, I've only ever seen the eggs twice when they breed (they've done it about 10 times since I've had them!!) expect a load of free swimming fry to emerge within about a week, and don't be surprised if they all get eaten. The only way I've managed to keep any alive is by separating some off to a breeding net.
If they get too aggressive, it might be an idea to move them to a separate tank if you have one available!!!

 

[sub.42]

Hey Guys, thanks for all your help, but it looks as though I've made a boo boo. There may not be any babies after all....

Refer to my latest post and you'll see..........

Cheers, Sub.