Not furry, but we like them anyway.

Salvin's Cichlid

Trichromis salvini (Günther, 1862)

Also called Salvini, Yellow belly cichlid, Tricolor cichlid

SpeciesShort profile

From Central America: Atlantic slope rivers of southern Mexico, Guatemala and Belize, with some sources extending the range to Honduras; prefers moderate to fast currents in lower and middle river reaches.1 2 3

At a glance the quick version

Length15 to 22 cm1 2 3

Sizemedium

Vivid three-colour pattern

Hardy and well established in the hobby

Fast, energetic swimmer

2 3

Looks how to spot one

Elongate, streamlined cichlid

A slim, pointed-snouted cichlid in bright yellow with a row of dark blotches edged by blue spangles, dark facial bars and a red belly. Females show a dark spot on the dorsal fin and gill cover.3 2

Coloursyellowred bellyblack blotchesblue spangles3

Personality what they are like

Spirited and territorial, and a keen hunter of small fish; best with similar-sized, equally robust Central American cichlids.2 3

Daily activity how busy a day looks

An active, fast swimmer that needs open water as well as hiding spots.2 3

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Hardy; clean, well-filtered water and a varied diet keep its colours bright.2 3

Home where they are happiest

Around 150 litres or a base of at least 90 x 30 cm, with sand, plenty of caves and open swimming space. Water about 22 to 27 C, pH roughly 6.5 to 8.0, medium hardness.2 3 1

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Mostly meaty in the wild; in aquariums good cichlid pellets and flakes plus frozen or live foods and occasional vegetable matter.2 1

Company who they like around

Pairs share egg and fry care; raising about six juveniles together is the usual way to get a true pair.2 3

The story where it all began

Günther described the species in 1862 and named it after the British naturalist Osbert Salvin. After many years in Cichlasoma and related genera, it received its own genus, Trichromis, in 2015.1 3

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
It is the only species in the genus Trichromis.3
2
Females are the more brightly coloured sex, with a stronger red belly.3
3
A female can lay up to about 500 to 600 eggs per spawning.1

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 31 August 2018)1
Taxonomy: Described by Günther in 1862; placed in its own genus Trichromis by McMahan and colleagues in 20153

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Salvin's Cichlid. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
Temperature checkevery day
Water changeAbout 25% of the waterevery week
Water testevery week
Glass cleanevery week
Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

FishBase: Trichromis salvini fishbase.seused for taxonomy, range, size, water, IUCN, eggs
Seriously Fish: Cichlasoma salvini seriouslyfish.comused for care, tank size, water, diet, behaviour, breeding
Wikipedia: Trichromis salvini en.wikipedia.orgused for names, genus history, colour, fun facts

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.