Salvin's Cichlid Care Guide
Cichlasoma salvini, Salvin's cichlid, is a colorful Central American cichlid from Atlantic-slope rivers of Mexico, Belize and Guatemala.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Cichlasoma salvini, commonly called Salvin's cichlid or the yellow-belly cichlid, is a colorful Central American cichlid. FishBase places it on the Atlantic slope from southern Mexico to Guatemala and Belize, and it also appears in taxonomic literature under the genus Trichromis. Adults show a bright yellow belly with red, blue and black accents.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Cichlasoma
- Scientific name: Cichlasoma salvini
- Common synonyms: Trichromis salvini
Habitat
The species lives in fresh water and is benthopelagic, inhabiting moderate to fast-flowing waters of lower and middle river valleys, including eastern coastal rivers and lagoons at lower elevations (FishBase).
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 250 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 7.0-8.0
- GH: 8-18 °dGH
- Maximum size: about 22 cm SL
- Lifespan: 8-13 years
Diet
FishBase records that it feeds on macro-invertebrates and small fishes. In captivity it accepts a varied diet of meaty and prepared foods consistent with its predatory feeding in the wild.
Compatibility
Salvin's cichlid is aggressive and territorial, particularly toward other fish, while behaving more moderately toward conspecifics. It is best kept with other Central American cichlids or large plecos and away from small tetras and plants.
Breeding
It is a substrate spawner. Reports indicate females take an active role in initiating breeding and caring for fry, and both sexes intensify their coloration during the breeding season.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed in 2018.
Salvin's Cichlid Breeding Guide
Overview
Cichlasoma salvini (Trichromis salvini), Salvin's cichlid, is a colourful Central American species of the Atlantic slope from southern Mexico to Guatemala and Belize (FishBase, Wikipedia). It reaches about 15-22 cm and is a biparental substrate spawner: pairs clean spawning sites, spawn on them and guard the eggs and fry together.
Sexing
Females are smaller than males and show a distinctive patch in the centre of the dorsal fin and a dark spot on the gill cover; their red belly colour intensifies when ready to spawn (Wikipedia, Seriously Fish). Males have longer, more pointed dorsal and anal fins with greater black-and-white contrast.
Breeding Setup
A tank with flat stones, wood or rocky crevices for spawning sites suits the species. Seriously Fish gives breeding water of about 22-26 °C, pH 6.5-8.0 and hardness 8-15 °dH; FishBase lists a wider species temperature range of 22-32 °C, pH 7.0-8.0 and hardness 5-20 dH.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Parents first clean the surfaces of several chosen spawning sites, then the female lays eggs spread across them (Seriously Fish). The female takes a more active role in initiating breeding and caring for fry than the male (Wikipedia). A compatible pair is best obtained by growing on six juveniles.
Egg & Fry Care
A female lays up to about 500 eggs (Seriously Fish); FishBase records about 500-600 eggs per spawning. Both parents guard eggs and fry with good parental care and provide the fry an early nutritional source, with offspring staying with parents for roughly one month.
Common Challenges
Pairs may take time to form, and the species is territorial and aggressive, so a roomy or dedicated tank reduces conflict. Incompatible pairings should be separated to avoid injury.