The Latin name for the Salvini Cichlid is Cichiasoma Salvini. Its native habitat is in southern Mexico and Guatemala and Belize in Central America. The Salvini has been more recently discovered in Texas and Florida. It lives in moving waters of rivers and is seldom found in the calm waters of lakes.
Traits of the Salvini Cichlid
The maximum size of the Salvini is seven inches so it’s classified as a medium size fish. The main body color is yellow and it is accented with a black patch. The male may show a blue hue or streaking on its head and back.
Females are the most colored of both genders with having red hues along the stomach and along the back when they are breeding. The fry of these fish are very drab and don’t develop color until they start maturing.
The Salvini Cichlid is usually moderately aggressive but can get very aggressive when it is breeding. Fish that are smaller than the Salvini should not be put in the same aquarium. Ideal tank mates are the Jack Dempsey Cichlid or the Red Devil Cichlid.
Aquarium Conditions for the Salvini Cichlid
If keeping a pair of Salvini, a 48-gallon aquarium is the minimum recommended size. Water conditions are as follows: PH value between 6 to 8, the DH should be in between 8 to 15 and temperature should be between 70 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit. A powerful filtration system is needed and weekly water changes of 25% to 30% are recommended.
Use driftwood, plants and rockery in the aquarium to help provide hiding places. The Salvini Cichlid doesn’t destroy plant life or dig in the substrate. It has been noted that the coloration of the Salvini Cichlid is enhanced in a planted tank. The Salvini Cichlid also requires a large swimming area free of decoration and plants. It is a bottom to mid-level swimmer in the aquarium.
Feeding the Salvini Cichlid is rather easy because it will eat any type of food from flake and pellets to live foods and frozen foods. Also remember to add vegetables, such as lettuce or zucchini, once in a while to help with a balanced diet.
Breeding the Salvini Cichlid
The Salvini Cichlid is relatively easy to breed. It will choose a breeding place and lay between 200 to 300 eggs on a flat surface. Both parents will guard both the egg and fry. The eggs will usually start hatching in 72 to 90 hours. Fry can be fed finely ground up flake food or newly hatched baby brine shrimp.
The Salvini provides excellent parental care for its young so the fry do not have to be placed in a separate tank. In a community aquarium, the fry may be moved to another tank in order to avoid overcrowding and to promote growth.
The Salvni Cichlid is popular due to its hardiness and coloration. As long as it is placed in an aquarium with South American Cichlids of equal size and temperament, it will thrive and show off lovely colors of yellow, black, red and sometimes blue.
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