T-Bar Cichlid
Amatitlania sajica
Cichlidae
About
A stocky dwarf cichlid from the Pacific-slope rivers and rivulets of Costa Rica, reaching roughly 10-12 cm with males the larger sex. Grey-blue flanks carry a black lateral bar that meets the horizontal mid-body stripe at right angles, forming the T that gives the fish its trade name; spawning males flush gold along the belly and edge the fins in pale blue. Pairs bond monogamously, clear a cave under a flat stone or root and defend a modest patch of floor while brooding, yet away from the nest this is one of the least belligerent Central American cichlids and it holds its own without bullying the tank.
Care
Give a pair at least 150 litres over a 100 cm footprint, with a soft sand bed they can dig, flat stones and bogwood caves for spawning, and hardscape that breaks sight-lines so tankmates can leave the territory. Neutral to hard water suits them best (pH 7.0-7.8, GH 8-20 dGH) at 25-28 C with moderate flow and clean substrate. Plants are left alone apart from pits dug at spawning time, so root feeders anchored with stones survive fine. Keep other Amatitlania away to avoid hybrids.
Diet
Feed a sinking cichlid pellet or good flake as the everyday staple, since this fish works the lower half of the tank. Add frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp or mysis two or three times a week for condition, and a spirulina or vegetable-based food once a week to reflect the algae and seeds it eats in the wild. Feed sparingly twice a day rather than one heavy meal.
Tankmate compatibility
Gets along with (14)
Possible with care (208)
Avoid (49)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.
Telling males from females
What works for this species, most reliable first.
- Extended finsStrong · from about 8 months, and later in a suppressed male
On many cichlids and killifish the male's dorsal and anal fins draw out into trailing points as he matures, while the female's stay rounded.
- VentingA hint only · only on a mature fish, easiest when she is in breeding condition
The method breeders use when the answer has to be right. Hold the fish upside down in a wet hand or soft net and look at the two openings ahead of the anal fin. The forward one is the anus; the one behind it is what you are reading.
- Adult sizeA hint only · only across animals of the same age
In many cichlids, catfish and loaches one sex simply grows larger — usually the male, though there are well-known reversals.
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Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a T-Bar Cichlid need?
- A T-Bar Cichlid needs an aquarium of at least 150 litres (39.6 US gallons) with a footprint at least 100 cm (39.4 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a T-Bar Cichlid need?
- T-Bar Cichlid does best at 23–30 °C (73.4–86 °F), pH 6.5–8 and a general hardness of 8–20 °dGH.
- What group size does a T-Bar Cichlid need?
- T-Bar Cichlid is a social species — keep a group of at least 2 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
- Is the T-Bar Cichlid suitable for beginners?
- Yes — T-Bar Cichlid is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.