Salvini Cichlid

The salvini is one of the most colorful Central American cichlids, with a black horizontal stripe starting at the eye on a bright yellow background, dark blotches lined up along the back and a red–orange belly. There are shiny blue spots on its fins and lower body. Long known as Cichlasoma salvini, the species is now placed in its own genus, Trichromis.

Although it stays relatively small (15 cm), it is very aggressive for its size. Especially when breeding, it stands up even to fish larger than itself. For this reason it suits a Central American cichlid setup rather than a small community tank.

It lives in the Atlantic-draining rivers of southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras. It is found in waters with moderate current and rocky and sandy bottoms; it hunts small fish, insects and crustaceans. It hunts with fast lunges in open water, and this attacking behavior is seen in the aquarium too.

• Volume: at least 200 liters and 100–120 cm of length for a pair; 300 liters or more with other cichlids.
• Decor: create several territories with rocks and caves; obstacles that break lines of sight reduce fights.
• Current: it likes moderate flow; good oxygenation is important.
• Water: change 25–30% weekly.

Mainly carnivorous. Alongside a quality cichlid granule, offer frozen bloodworms, mysis, brine shrimp and shrimp. Foods containing carotenoids help maintain its colors. One or two small meals a day are enough.

A fast and bold predator; it constantly patrols the middle layer of the aquarium. A breeding pair chases off every fish that approaches its territory.

Good companions: robust Central American cichlids of similar size (firemouth, Thorichthys species, convicts in a large tank), large and fast livebearers, plecos.

Avoid: small tetras and rasboras, shrimp, slow species such as angelfish, very large and aggressive cichlids (jaguar cichlid, red devil).

Kept as a pair. Juveniles are raised together and a pair that bonds is selected. A second pair can only be added to the same aquarium in a very large, divided setup.

The pair lays 100–500 eggs on a cleaned stone or on the ceiling of a cave. The eggs hatch in 2–3 days. The parents move the larvae into pits and guard the fry for several weeks. The fry are fed baby brine shrimp.

• Injuries: from territorial fights.
• Hole-in-the-head disease (HLLE): in poor water conditions.
• Faded color: a sign of stress and a monotonous diet.

The male is larger, with longer and more pointed dorsal and anal fins; its blue spots are denser. The female is smaller, and many females show a dark spot in the middle of the dorsal fin. Sexing is confirmed by the papilla.