Introducing the fascinating species Cichlasoma sedjika, which infuses aquarium settings with beauty and individuality. Originating from the colorful waters of Central America, this cichlid is distinguished by its eye-catching look and lively mannerisms. The Cichlasoma sedjika offers a distinctive addition to your tank that will captivate anyone who lays eyes on it, regardless of experience level.
The striking coloration of the Cichlasoma sedjika is one of its most notable characteristics. These fish are a colorful focal point in any aquarium because they frequently exhibit vivid colors, from deep blues to vivid oranges. They draw attention to the varied beauty of aquatic life while also adding visual interest with their complex patterns and vibrant colors.
Cichlasoma sedjika are renowned for their lively and gregarious behaviors. They interact with their surroundings and tank mates in an interesting way and are territorial. Because of this behavior, it can be enjoyable to watch them engage in a variety of activities, such as sophisticated social interactions and playful swimming.
It’s crucial to take their particular requirements into account when setting up a tank for Cichlasoma sedjika. They flourish in an area that is kept up with lots of room for them to hide and explore. By understanding their needs and offering the proper conditions, you can keep these cichlids healthy and happy, allowing them to contribute to a thriving aquatic ecosystem in your house.
| Aspect | Details |
| Common Name | Cichlasoma sedjika |
| Size | Up to 15 cm |
| Tank Size | Minimum 100 liters |
| Water Temperature | 24-28°C |
| pH Level | 6.5-7.5 |
| Diet | Omnivore, prefers both plant and animal matter |
| Behavior | Territorial, best kept with similar-sized fish |
Appearance
The fish’s body is high, somewhat elongated, and slightly flattened on the sides. Large head, enormous azure blue eyes, and full lips. Males and females have different colors. Males are primarily gray with a hint of brown; the abdomen and chest are painted in lighter tones, and the back is several tones darker. Due to the gold coating on the sides, the scales’ ability to reflect light gives them a blue hue.
The transverse direction of the stripes runs from 7 to 9. There is always a more conspicuous, saturated color in the middle stripe. The fins and tail are lilac in color. The fish gets pointed anal, dorsal, and tail fins when it reaches sexual maturity.
Males are also distinguished by the presence of a fat lump on their foreheads, which swells even more and becomes noticeably larger during spawning. The female’s base color is gray with a brown undertone, and the scales at the base of the fins shimmer with turquoise. There is a black line running along the edge of the yellow fins. In contrast to males, females have more noticeable dark lines on their bodies, which get darker and more pronounced as spawning approaches.
Only during puberty is it possible to differentiate between a female and a male fish because sexual differences and subtle differences in appearance are not evident in young fish. This species’ representatives mature sexually at the age of 12 months or so. Males can grow up to 13 cm in length, while females can only reach 5 to 8 cm.
Life in the wild
Sedjika cichlasomas inhabit shallow rivers and bays in Panama and Costa Rica, with numerous comfortable underwater shelters being their preferred habitats. Fish can grow to somewhat larger sizes in the wild; an adult’s body length can range from 12 to 14 cm.
Features of behavior
The fish known as Cichlazoma Sedjika has a calm, gentle nature. It will not damage plants by digging them up or destroy aquarium accessories, nor will it injure its neighbors in the aquarium who are members of different species. However, there can be a significant shift in behavior during the spawning season.
Fish belonging to this species are known for being territorial; when they sense that their territory is being taken, they will bravely and fearlessly defend it. Even though the enemy may be several times larger than Cichlazoma, he will not be deterred. However, we have to give these courageous fish credit—they never attack without a good reason, and their aggressive behavior is always motivated by self-defense.
Sedjika cichlids congregate in pairs during the spawning season to defend their territory.
These courageous little fish frighten the enemy with their sharp fin movements. If these actions fail to have the desired effect, cichlazomas can launch an attack by using their nose to strike the enemy in the sides. The fish are known for their great physical endurance, which allows them to fight until the other side retreats, despite their small size.
Conditions of maintenance
The fish Cichlazoma Sedzhika is utterly inconspicuous. If you only keep a pair, a 50-liter aquarium will suffice; however, you will need more water—at least 150 liters—if you wish to subdue the striking beauty of cichlazomas with other aquarium fish. The only requirement for maintaining cichlazomas is a weekly water change of 25%.
The water needs to be clean and settled. River or sea sifted sand is the best choice for soil. Small pebbles or granite chips can be used to create the soil. Driftwood, jugs, and castles are examples of decorative elements that the cichlazoma will seek refuge in within the aquarium.
While live plants are welcome in the aquarium, it is advised to provide:
- feather leaf;
- cryptocorin;
- echinodorus tender.
Planting root plants is safe because cichlazoma is unlikely to dig them up, but there is always a risk during spawning when the fish may get aggressive and fight with their neighbors. It is therefore advised to plant roots-bearing plants in pots. It is preferable to surround the area where the plant will emerge from the earth with pebbles, stones, and boulders so that the fish cannot use its nose to lift them.
The Sedjika cichlazoma inhabits reservoirs in its natural habitat, where the water temperature remains consistent between +22 and 26 °C and the hardness index ranges from 8 to 20 dH. The range of the acidity index is 6.8–7.8. It is important to follow these indicators, at least roughly, in order to maximize the fish’s comfort. Features of water:
- temperature in the range – from +24 to +26 ° C;
- hardness – from 10 to 15 dH;
- pH level – from 7 to 7.5.
Because Cichlasoma Sedjika dislikes bright light, fluorescent lamps with daylight-like light and a power of roughly 0.3 W/l are the best option for setting up an aquarium.
A filter is a must for the aquarium. Sedjika cichlazoma prefer clear, pure water that is high in oxygen.
One filter or one with a compressor can be placed in the aquarium; low-flow aeration is recommended. The recommendation to change 25% of the water once a week is still applicable even in the presence of a filter.
Compatibility with other species
The serene and amiable Sedjika cichlazoma fish readily coexists with other aquarium species provided those species’ representatives exhibit a non-aggressive or mildly aggressive disposition. Suggested tank partners:
- Eliot"s cichlazoma;
- severum;
- angelfish;
- apistogramma;
- meeka;
- catfish (but only large);
- sumatran barbs.
Since Sedjika cichlazomas can hunt smaller fish during the spawning season, it is not advised to keep them with smaller fish.
Feeding
The appetite of Sedjika cichlazoma is moderate. The fish shouldn’t be overfed. It is imperative to use a net to remove any leftover food from the water’s surface after it has eaten, as this will facilitate the maintenance of the frequency. You must alternate between plant-based and live foods in your diet. In order to create a menu that is tasty, nutritious, and varied, the fish should have:
- bloodworms;
- tubifex;
- crustaceans;
- mealworms;
- enchytraeus.
Suggested plant-based products:
- lettuce leaves;
- cabbage;
- dandelion;
- dried nettle.
Periodically, the fish will accept treats like oatmeal and bread crumbs. It is advised to scald plant food, such as cabbage and lettuce leaves, in boiling water before serving.
Breeding and spawning
Sedjika cichlazoma can lay their eggs in a communal aquarium with lots of other fish. But during spawning, it’s best to move the pair to a different water reservoir (spawning tank) if you want lots of offspring without worrying about the fry getting eaten by big fish.
It will suffice to have a 50-liter tank with the necessary sandy soil and a place to hide, like a decorative broken jug or a snag with a hollow in it. Fish will also benefit from plants, but you shouldn’t use them excessively—a few fish-friendly plant branches should be sufficient.
It only takes two water changes to initiate the spawning process.
Replace the old water gradually over a period of 14 days.
Spewing can also be aided by raising the temperature by one to three degrees, but not by more. Sedjika cichlasomas will feel extremely at ease and mature more quickly in clean, warm water, ready for spawning.
A couple’s readiness to procreate can be inferred from their behavior, which will include them taking more care to clean up their home and ridding the soil of food scraps, leaves, and other impurities. The female deposits her eggs in a cave or a driftwood shelter as soon as the territory is ready.
While the female is by herself in the shelter, the male guards the entrance, keeping a close eye on the nest to keep other aquarium residents from invading it out of curiosity. 150 eggs on average are laid during a single spawning. The eggs have a diameter of 1 mm and are either pale yellow or gray in color. The incubation period lasts for three to four days.
One distinctive feature of Sedjika cichlazomas is a strong parental instinct. They will be near the fry all the time for a few weeks, fiercely guarding them against any intruders into the aquarium. The fish exhibit aggressive and fearful behaviors toward ornamental items and other fish during this time.
The reason the cichlazomas can start attacking even plastic parts is because they might believe that the owner’s hand or the filter is threatening the fry. When a parent sees that a few fry have wandered off from the main school, he swims over to them, gathers them in his mouth with the water, and spits them back into the classroom.
Resettling the fry five to six days after they first appear is advised. Fry can be caught with a hose. Since the male will act aggressively upon losing his offspring and may attack the female in a fit of rage, often injuring her, it is advised to leave at least a dozen fry for the adults.
The cichlazoma’s parental instinct gradually wanes after 14–20 days as the fry grow stronger and nearly independent, and they stop being interested in the more mature fish. Brine shrimp works well as food for fry, which need to be fed up to four times a day once they can swim.
Also read:
- Rainbow cichlazoma;
- Severum cichlazoma;
- Citron cichlazoma.
The Sedjika Cichlid, or Cichlasoma sedjika, is an intriguing species that both beginning and seasoned aquarium enthusiasts will find fascinating. This colorful fish, which is native to Central American freshwater lakes and rivers, is distinguished by its vivid colors and unusual habits. This article will go over the essentials of taking care of Cichlasoma sedjika, such as the right kind of tank setup, what it should eat, and how to interact with other fish in the tank so that you can provide this interesting species with a healthy home.
Diseases of the species
Despite its small size, Sedjika cichlazoma is a robust and resilient fish. Members of this species are not susceptible to any illnesses. The fish may become less active as a result of inadequate nutrition and low water quality, but all that is needed to restore its mobility and nimbleness is to modify the water’s composition and menu.
Cichlasoma sajica is a fantastic aquarium resident that gets along well with other species, especially the stately, large catfish. This species is easy to keep, and it’s fascinating to watch the little daring fish as they attempt to chase away their more imposing neighbors by striking the water with their fins during spawning. With its glossy lips and shimmering scales, this amazing pet will add beauty to any aquarium.
Photo of Cichlasoma sajica
The fascinating fish Cichlasoma sedjika, also known as the Sedjika cichlid, is a beautiful addition to any aquarium. Its striking hues and captivating habits give your tank a distinctive look. This species is a fantastic option for both novice and expert aquarists because it is not only gorgeous but also fairly hardy.
Maintaining the health and happiness of your Sedjika cichlid requires proper care and attention. They flourish in clean, well-kept tanks with lots of hiding places and a healthy atmosphere. A good diet and routine water changes will keep your fish healthy and vibrant. To maintain a harmonious coexistence, it’s also critical to keep an eye on how they interact with other tank mates.
Overall, anyone interested in cichlids will find Cichlasoma sedjika to be a rewarding experience. Their captivating looks and lively personalities can infuse your aquarium with joy and intrigue. These fish can be a captivating focal point in your aquatic setup for many years to come if given the proper care.
