Species name: Nandopsis Salvini
Common names: Salvini Cichlid, Salvin’s Cichlid, Yellow-Bellied Cichlid or Tri-color Cichlid
Family: Cichlidae
Order: Perciformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Maximum length: 6 inches
Minimum tank size: 50 gallons.
Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive
Hardiness: Easy
Distribution: Central America
Diet: Plankton, Cichlid pellets, flakes, bloodworms, tubifex, small fish, earthworms. Must be fed a variety of live foods especially bloodworms and Brine Shrimp to develop their beautiful colors.

Additional information:
The Salvini, or Salvin’s Cichlid, is also known as the Yellow-Bellied or Tri-color Cichlid. It can be found swimming in the freshwater lakes and rivers of southern Mexico, or in Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras of Central America. This species of fish has been located recently in freshwater areas of Texas and southern Florida as well. It prefers the fast moving waters of rivers and streams and likes to swim close to the bottom, always seeking a place to hide among the rocks and roots of plants and trees.

The Salvin’s Cichlid is a very beautiful and vibrantly colored species. A bright yellow body speckled in shades of teal sets this species aside as a valued attraction to any aquarium. Dark lines run along the length of the fish, with four horizontal lines marking the forehead. Spots of red can be seen on the female along the edge of the caudal fin, anal fin, and on the body behind the pectoral fin. The female is noted for having the most vibrant coloring, primarily red along the back and stomach, and a patch of black with blue edging on the dorsal fin. The male exhibits shades of blue streaks upon his body and head. In addition, some males may display a red belly. The Nandopsis Salvini fry are very plain in contrast to their parents, and will not develop any coloration until they reach full maturity. These beautiful fish show the most vibrant colors during spawning. They often grow up to 6 inches in length.

The aquarium should be at least 50 gallons. The water should be kept at a temperature of about 72° to 79°F (22° to 20° C), with a pH of 6 to 8, and a dH between 8 and 15. For a properly maintained and well-balanced aquarium, a weekly water change should be performed and a good filtration system in place. The bottom of the aquarium should contain fine sand or gravel. As these fish will not uproot plants, greenery and driftwood may also be placed inside the tank. Plenty of rocks will be needed for hiding, but spaced evenly to provide room for the fish to openly swim. When breeding, this already semi-aggressive fish will become overly assertive and somewhat mean. However, once their fry have hatched, it is not necessary to separate the parents from their young. To promote growth and keep from having issues with overcrowding, they may however, require being moved to another tank. The Red Devil Cichild, the Jack Dempsey Cichild, Plecos, and the Scavenger Catfish all make good choices of tank mates for the Salvin’s Cichlid. The diet of a Salvin’s Cichlid generally consists of ocean plankton, Cichlid pellets and flakes, bloodworms, and tubifex. The Salvini must be fed a variety of live foods especially bloodworms and Brine Shrimp to develop their beautiful colors. The fry can be fed a diet of baby brine shrimp or finely ground flake food. Because of its beautiful coloring and outstanding hardiness, the Salvin’s Cichlid is a very popular choice for the freshwater aquarium enthusiast who enjoys fish that show off their vibrant and remarkable colors.