Salvini Cichlid

Name: Salvini Cichlid
SKU: 15897
Availability: InStock

₹100

The Salvini Cichlid ( $Trichromis\ salvini$ ) is a beautiful and moderately aggressive Central American cichlid. Known for its brilliant yellow body, metallic blue spangling, and bold black lateral markings, it uses dramatic gill-flaring displays to assert territory. This fish requires robust tank mates and a well-structured aquarium with plenty of hiding spots.

Categories: Cichlids, Fish Specific

Description

fish description – Salvini Cichlid Care Guide ( $Trichromis\ salvini$ )

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Trichromis\ salvini$ (formerly $Cichlasoma\ salvini$ )
Common Name	Salvini Cichlid, Yellow Belly Cichlid, Tricolor Cichlid
Origin	Rivers and lagoons of Southern Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala (Central America)
Adult Size	6–8 inches (15–20 cm) (Males are typically larger than females)
Temperament	Highly Territorial, Moderately Aggressive, Can be aggressive to smaller fish
Lifespan	8–15 years
Care Level	Intermediate (due to aggression management and size)

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Appearance and Sexual Differences

Short Description: A robust, oval-shaped cichlid with a pointed mouth. The body is a bright yellow or gold base color with two horizontal lines of black markings/spots and shimmering blue spangles across the body. The throat and belly are often red, especially in females.
Coloration: Males display intense coloration. Females are often considered more colorful, having a more pronounced red/orange belly and a distinct dark blotch in the center of the dorsal fin, and a dark spot on the gill plate. Males grow larger and have longer, more pointed dorsal and anal fins.
Fins: The dorsal and anal fins are pointed in the male.
Behavior: Highly territorial, especially when breeding. They are known for bluffing by intensely flaring their red throats and gills to intimidate rivals. They are active diggers and require territory definition.

Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons (208 liters) is the minimum for a single fish. 75–125 gallons or larger is necessary if keeping a pair or with other large, robust tank mates.
Schooling: Best kept as a single specimen or a bonded pair. Aggression is high, and a pair will fiercely defend a large territory during spawning.
Temperature: Tropical range: $72^\circ$ – $81^\circ\text{F}\ (22^\circ$ – $27^\circ\mathrm{C})$ (stability is key).
pH Level: Neutral to slightly alkaline: 6.8 to 8.0. They are hardy and adaptable, but require powerful filtration and regular, large water changes (25–30% weekly) to control the bioload and prevent health issues. Water flow should be moderate.
Aquascape: Requires a soft sand substrate (as they dig). Decorate with heavy rockwork, slate, and large driftwood pieces to create multiple caves and visual barriers that break up lines of sight. Avoid delicate live plants as they will be uprooted or nibbled.

Diet and Feeding

The Salvini Cichlid is an omnivore with a carnivorous bias.

Staple Diet: High-quality cichlid pellets or granules as the primary staple.
Supplementation: A varied diet rich in protein is vital. Offer frozen or live meaty foods regularly: Bloodworms, Brine Shrimp, Krill, and Earthworms. Supplement with vegetable matter (spirulina, blanched spinach/peas).
Schedule: Feed small portions once or twice a day. They are enthusiastic feeders and should not be overfed.

Compatibility

Caution: High aggression. Best kept with similarly sized, robust, and moderately aggressive Central/South American cichlids, or large, armored catfish. Will hunt and consume any fish small enough to fit in its mouth. Avoid all small tetras and passive bottom-dwellers.
Good Tank Mates (in very large tanks): Firemouth Cichlids (use caution), Convict Cichlids, Jewel Cichlids, large Silver Dollars, L-number Plecos, and large Catfish (Doradids or Synodontis).