Cichlid Profiles - Amphilophus sagittae
 

This fish was split off the from the Midas cichlid in 2002. It is endemic to crater Laguna Xiloa in Nicaragua, a barely 1 square mile crater lake where Amphilophus have sympatrically speciated in recent times. It comes in three color morphs. Most are grey in ground color with 7 charcoal grey vertical bars , a greenish-gray head and pectoral fin, other fins dark grey with some pearling, and large nuchal humps in mature males. They are called Black Devils. There is also a xanthic beige-white morph, and the third is born brown, and at about 3 inches changes to gold, then orange, and finally orange with white. This is very similar to the maturity of Gold Fader Flowerhorns, and since they share many of the same genetics, may be a color morph that Midas cichlids have given rise to more than once. Whereas Midas and Red Devil cichlids like rocks this is an open water species that lives close to the sandy lake bottom.

In captivity they prefer Lake Xiloa conditions, 75-79 degrees, pH 7 and hard water. They get 10-12 inches long and need at least a 100 gallon tank for adults.. They are adaptable to most commerical fish foods and like worms. They are cave spawners which lay several hundred eggs. The female tends the inside of the cave and the male stands guard just outside. They are in much demand by Amphilophus collectors. Photos available at "Images of Amphilophus sagittae."