Salvin's Cichlid

Cichlasoma salvini
Salvin's Cichlid; Tricolor Cichlid
Habitat:
Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras
Length:
150 mm (6 in.)
Diet:
Prepared foods with shrimp and/or larval; Bloodworms; Gammarus shrimp; Other live foods
Sex difference:
Mature males have a red blotch in the ventral body and anal fin region.
Compatibility:
Aggressive; Not compatable with community fish; Can be kept with other cichlids
Breeding:
This species is said to prefer placing eggs on a sloping or vertical surface. Egg numbers have been recorded at 1000, although half that figure is the accepted norm. Both parents show bright colour patterns, especially while they are protecting the eggs and fry. Other fishes are said to associate the bright colour with aggression and endeavour to avoid them during this period. Fry hatch within three days and will soon take newly hatched brine shrimp and powdered food. Experience shows that it is best to remove fry from the parents and separate the parent fishes to save the female from the somewhat over-enthusiastic attentions of the male in his desire to repeat the spawning cycle before the female is ready to start breeding again.
Tank conditions:
pH 7.0; Hardness 10; Temp 75ºF; Size 50 gal
Comments
The Salvin's Cichlid is a particuliar favorite of mine. It is well suited for small to medium sized aquariums and breeds readily. I particuliarly like the color of this fish and it's pugnacious behavior.