Salvini Cichlid

• ExerciseHigh

  A busy, energetic swimmer — keep plenty of open swimming room.

• GroomingAttentive tank care

  Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• Living spaceNano-tank friendly

  Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Owner experienceFor experienced owners

  Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• Commitment8–12 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Ich (white spot) · Fin rot · Swim bladder disorder

The Salvini (Trichromis salvini) comes from southern Mexico, Guatemala and Belize and reaches about 15 to 20 cm. Its colouring is among the best in Central American cichlids: a yellow body with two dark horizontal lines and a spreading red flush on the throat, chest and belly, strongest in a breeding female. A pair needs 250 litres or more at 24-28C, pH 6.5 to 8.0 in moderately hard water, with rock caves, driftwood and open floor. Feed quality cichlid pellets, frozen krill, mysis and bloodworm. The honest note is proportional aggression: this is a mid-sized cichlid with the attitude of a much larger one, and a spawning pair will hold a very large territory and harry anything that crosses it. Tankmates should be robust and of similar size, and the tank should be long rather than tall so a chased fish has somewhere to be. Kept as a pair with the right neighbours it is one of the most colourful cichlids available without needing a very large aquarium.

• How active is a Salvini Cichlid?

  High. A busy, energetic swimmer — keep plenty of open swimming room.

• How much maintenance does a Salvini Cichlid need?

  Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• What tank size does a Salvini Cichlid need?

  Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Is a Salvini Cichlid a good fit for first-time owners?

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Salvini Cichlid live?

  8–12 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Salvini Cichlid?

  Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Swim bladder disorder. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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