2x Salvins cichlid - Cichlasoma salvini - DNZ pair

Also Salvins cichlids, Chiclasoma salvini, are Central American cichlids that are sought after among aquarists with their colorfulness. The fishes, which have been described since 1862, were named after the former catcher and were only assigned to the monotypic genus Trichromis in 2015. They can be kept easily and quite uncomplicated in a pretty perch aquarium and also bred there. The natural habitats are on the Caribbean side of southern Mexico and in Guatemala.

You can get Salvins cichlids from us in pairs as German offspring.

Salvins cichlids reach a size of about 22 cm. On the typical high-backed perch body they form a green to sometimes bright yellow ground color. From the eye to the tail fin there is a black lateral line with occasional small turquoise scales. On the upper back there is another purple irregular line. The head is decorated with four reddish brown stripes. The fins are transparent red with turquoise lines and spots. Even though the juveniles look rather unspectacular, their colors intensify with age.

Salvins cichlids can be bred in the aquarium. Both males and females intensify their body colors during this time. Males can be distinguished from females primarily by their more extended dorsal fin. At about 15 cm, the female also remains smaller. They prefer to lay their eggs under hidden places. They practice caring brood care. A clutch can contain up to 500 eggs.

The aquarium for Salvins cichlids should be at least 300 liters and should have both ample Burrows and hiding places, as they are for example with Roots and stone structures secured against falling over can be offered. Since they occasionally claim territoriality, these serve among other things to delimit territories and as a visual screen. However, the swimming space should not come too short. A calcareous sandy substrate is suitable as substrate. With a total hardness of 3-30 °dGH and a pH-value between 6,5 and 8,0, as well as a temperature of 22-32 °C the pretty animals like it somewhat harder and warmer.

Free-living specimens of the Salvins cichlids feed among other things on approaching insects and other invertebrates as well as smallest crustaceans, therefore dwarf shrimps or also crayfish are rather not suitable for socialization.

These omnivores can be optimally fed with commercially available  dry food in the form of flake food or granulated food, but also food tablets for carnivorous ornamental fish. An occasional treat in the form of live food or frozen food such as mosquito larvae or Artemia will make them very happy.

Our food recommendation: The NatureHolic Cichfeed has a grain size of 1.5 mm and is therefore also suitable for larger fish. The NH Cichfeed is a soft granulate for mainly carnivorous fish. It has the same consistency as small crustaceans and insect larvae that fish naturally eat, and the soft granules protect the fish's mouth from micro-injuries that can result from hard feed granules.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.