Cichlids · Trichromis

Salvini cichlid

Trichromis salvini · Atlantic slope, S Mexico through Guatemala to Belize

Photo: geosesarma, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist

The Salvini cichlid (Trichromis salvini) is a freshwater fish from Atlantic slope, S Mexico through Guatemala to Belize, where it lives in river habitat. Adults reach about 22 cm (8.7 in). Keep it at 22–32 °C (72–90 °F) and pH 7–8, with strong, well-oxygenated flow. It is aggressive and does best in a group of 2 or more. Feed meaty foods: frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and quality sinking pellets.

At a glance

Water temperature

22–32 °C 72–90 °F

7–8 hard, alkaline water

Adult size

22 cm 8.7 in

Swims ≈

Mid-water mostly in open water

Keep together ≈

2 or more a shoal feels safe

Current

Strong fast, oxygen-rich water

Food

Meaty foods

Temperament ≈

Aggressive

Where it comes from

Home water

Atlantic slope, S Mexico through Guatemala to Belize

Lives in river habitat.

Shaded: the countries it comes from. Map: Natural Earth.

Salvini cichlid

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Cichlids · TrichromisLC

Predator. Eats any fish that fits in its mouth.

Salvini cichlid

Trichromis salvini

Atlantic slope, S Mexico through Guatemala to Belize · river

Temperature: 22–32°C
pH: 7–8
Adult size: 9 in · 22 cm
Flow: Strong
Swims: Mid-water
Temperament: Aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Group: 2+
Status in the wild: Least concern

Predator. Eats any fish that fits in its mouth.

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Photo: geosesarma, CC BY 4.0

Salvini cichlid — **Print it and tape it to the glass.** Visitors can see what lives in the tank, and the QR code on the back opens this page.

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Sources

We name everyone whose work is on this page. Where sources disagree, we show the best one: a scientific paper first, then aquarium references.

Temperature, ph, adult size, water flow, swim level, habitat, group size, temperament, diet, behaviour, conservation status, home range FishBase: Trichromis salvini summary Website
Adult size, diet, water flow, home range Fishes of Texas: Trichromis salvini Website
Photo geosesarma, CC BY 4.0 iNaturalist
Map of rivers and countries Natural Earth public domain map data Map

Know a good source for this fish? Tell us

Tank mates

Checked against a roomy 300 L planted tank with high flow and plenty of caves. Your own tank may change the answer: try it in Your tanks.

Good together

Keep apart

Small enough to be eaten

Amano shrimp Black skirt tetra Borelli's dwarf cichlid Bronze corydoras Cardinal tetra Celestial pearl danio
Aggressive: salvini cichlid, it

Auratus
Want calm water and small enough to be eaten

Betta (Siamese fighting fish)

In the hobby

Where to find it

No store or breeder we know of has it right now.

Run a store? List the fish you usually have. Breed fish? List your fry.

Tanks with this fish

No shared tanks have this fish yet. Share yours from Your tanks.

From keepers

Notes appear here when a keeper shares a tank with this fish and writes about it.

Questions keepers ask

How big does a Salvini cichlid get?

About 22 cm (8.7 in) as an adult.

What temperature does a Salvini cichlid need?

22–32 °C (72–90 °F).

What pH does a Salvini cichlid need?

pH 7–8.

Does a Salvini cichlid need to be kept in a group?

Yes. Keep at least 2.

Is the Salvini cichlid aggressive?

Yes. It is aggressive and needs careful planning.

What does a Salvini cichlid eat?

Feed meaty foods: frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and quality sinking pellets.

Where does the Salvini cichlid come from?

Atlantic slope, S Mexico through Guatemala to Belize.

What fish can live with a Salvini cichlid?

Good tank mates include Candy stripe (L015), Zebra (L046), Amano shrimp, Boeseman's rainbowfish, Bolivian ram.

All the numbers

Temperature min (°C)	22	Sourced
Temperature max (°C)	32	Sourced
pH min	7	Sourced
pH max	8	Sourced
Adult size (cm)	22	Sourced
Flow	High	Sourced
Swim level (top / middle / bottom)	middle	Estimate
Habitat	river	Estimate
Smallest happy group	2	Estimate
Temperament	Aggressive	Estimate
Diet	Carnivore	Sourced
Behaviour tags	eats_small_fish	Sourced

Some values are estimates from typical hobby ranges and haven't been checked against a source yet.