The Salvin's cichlid (''Trichromis salvini''), also known as the yellow-belly cichlid or tricolored cichlid, is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of ...

of the

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

Cichlidae Cichlids are fish from the family Cichlidae in the order Cichliformes. Cichlids were traditionally classed in a suborder, the Labroidei, along with the wrasses ( Labridae), in the order Perciformes, but molecular studies have contradicted th ...

. It is found in rivers of the Atlantic slope of southern

Mexico Mexico ( Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guate ...

Belize Belize (; bzj, Bileez) is a Caribbean and Central American country on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south. It also shares a wa ...

, and Guatemala.

Taxonomy

In 2015, McMahan ''et al.'' published a paper placing this species in the genus ''Trichromis''. The relationship of Salvin's cichlid to other Central American cichlid had long been debated. Genetic research by Říčan ''et al.'' revealed that the closest relatives to ''Trichromis'' are the firemouth cichlid and its congeners in the genus '' Thorichthys''.

Description

The Salvin's cichlid is oblong in shape and has a rather pointed mouth compared to other Central American cichlids. The body is yellow with two lines of black "flowers" along the side and upper half of the back of the fish. These flowers have a blue pearl outline. It has black bars that cross the face, and both sexes have red bellies, which is more pronounced in females, especially when ready to spawn. Females also have a patch in the center of the

dorsal fin A dorsal fin is a fin located on the back of most marine and freshwater vertebrates within various taxa of the animal kingdom. Many species of animals possessing dorsal fins are not particularly closely related to each other, though through c ...

and a spot on the lower part of the gill cover. Females are smaller than males. Males are duller in color and have longer, more pointed fins. Both male and female become more vibrant during breeding.

Distribution

Salvin's cichlid is found along the eastern coastal rivers and lagoons at lower elevations of

Central America Central America ( es, América Central or ) is a subregion of the Americas. Its boundaries are defined as bordering the United States to the north, Colombia to the south, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. ...

, from Mexico south to Honduras. This species is introduced in

South Florida South Florida is the southernmost region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is one of Florida's three most commonly referred to directional regions; the other two are Central Florida and North Florida. South Florida is the southernmost part of ...

. The species prefers moderate to fast flowing currents.

Dietary habits

Salvin's cichlid is a

piscivore A piscivore () is a carnivorous animal that eats primarily fish. The name ''piscivore'' is derived . Piscivore is equivalent to the Greek-derived word ichthyophage, both of which mean "fish eater". Fish were the diet of early tetrapod evoluti ...

. It uses slight

jaw protrusion Most bony fishes have two sets of jaws made mainly of bone. The primary oral jaws open and close the mouth, and a second set of pharyngeal jaws are positioned at the back of the throat. The oral jaws are used to capture and manipulate prey by bi ...

to exploit prey located near riverbeds. Their 8.2% jaw protrusion only allows them to consume 48% of evasive prey.

Reproduction

The female takes a more active role in initiating breeding and caring for fry than the male.

Aquarium specimens

Care requirements

Salvin's cichlid is a very

hardy fish A hardy fish is any fish which is easy to maintain in a home aquarium due to its ability to adapt to a wide range of water parameters. Such fish are good starter fish and ideal for 'cycling' an aquarium (i.e. reducing ammonia and nitrites to effect ...

, preferring temperatures between . They prefer a higher pH of around 8.0, and require the space of at least a tank. They grow to approximately in length and are quite aggressive toward other fish, but moderate aggressive towards same species. They require rocks and logs to hide in, and open swimming space.

Feeding

Salvin's cichlid accepts a wide variety of foods.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q5527115 Heroini Fish described in 1862 Taxa named by Albert Günther Cichlid fish of Central America Vertebrates of Belize Fish of Guatemala Freshwater fish of Mexico