Female Salvini Tank Mates

[HookedOnFish]

I currently have a male and 2 female salvini in a 75 gallon tank. I’m strongly considering giving the male to my LFS since he doesn’t let the females swim around much and eats any dither I try. The females are just over 3”, and I’m wondering what fish could be acceptable tank mates in this size aquarium. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[otterblue]

Don't have an answer for you but great tank!

 

[JustAFishServant]

How do you have such magnificent anubias!?

 

[HookedOnFish]

How do you have such magnificent anubias!?

Thank you, I’ve had them for a while now. I just use Seachem Flourish with my water changes.

 

[JustAFishServant]

Thank you, I’ve had them for a while now. I just use Seachem Flourish with my water changes.

Wow, that's all?

To answer your question;

Salvini cichlids get between 6 and 9 inches (15 and 23 cm.) They're known to be very territorial which isn't good for most species. However, as with all aggressive fish, it CAN be done.

(I should mention: I don't have experience with this species or with large, territorial cichlids, however I know this from fellow cichlid lovers or research I've done over the years.)

I suggest other large, aggressive cichlids if you have the space - red devils and jack dempseys, for example! I love their personable natures! A few smaller cichlids such as convicts or firemouths are good too. They may be small, but their territorial and feisty! Armoured catfish are an obvious choice, too; medium to fairly large plecos like rubberlip I would go for, or even large cories like anaeus, brochus, etc as they're large, fast, and peaceful but covered in tough armor. Other catfish like a pictus, raphael, eclipse, or butterfly might work too although I can't say for sure. Chinese algae eaters are promising too! One time, I fostered a pair. They were adopted by a dude with a 250G, large cichlids, bala, and red tail shark. Reminds me...rainbow, red tail, or bala sharks may work! They're territorial, and balas can be aggressive. Bichirs, peacock eels, or even dojo loaches are a great option too! Everyone says dojo loaches are peaceful, but not for me...they ATTACK and KILL goldfish! A group of tiger barbs could work too.

Overall I think tankmates with your species can be done, but a great deal of caution and care is needed to keep the tankmates (and cichlids) in good shape. Keep a hospital tank and meds on hand at all times, just in case it goes foul.

Hope this helps! Good luck with your cichlids

TL;DR red devil, jack dempsey, convict, firemouth, rubber lipped pleco, anaeus/brochis cory, eclipse, pictus, raphael, or butterfly catfish, chinese algae eater, bala/rainbow/red tail shark, bichir, peacock eel, dojo loach, tiger barbs

 

[HookedOnFish]

Wow, that's all?

To answer your question;

Salvini cichlids get between 6 and 9 inches (15 and 23 cm.) They're known to be very territorial which isn't good for most species. However, as with all aggressive fish, it CAN be done.

(I should mention: I don't have experience with this species or with large, territorial cichlids, however I know this from fellow cichlid lovers or research I've done over the years.)

I suggest other large, aggressive cichlids if you have the space - red devils and jack dempseys, for example! I love their personable natures! A few smaller cichlids such as convicts or firemouths are good too. They may be small, but their territorial and feisty! Armoured catfish are an obvious choice, too; medium to fairly large plecos like rubberlip I would go for, or even large cories like anaeus, brochus, etc as they're large, fast, and peaceful but covered in tough armor. Other catfish like a pictus, raphael, eclipse, or butterfly might work too although I can't say for sure. Chinese algae eaters are promising too! One time, I fostered a pair. They were adopted by a dude with a 250G, large cichlids, bala, and red tail shark. Reminds me...rainbow, red tail, or bala sharks may work! They're territorial, and balas can be aggressive. Bichirs, peacock eels, or even dojo loaches are a great option too! Everyone says dojo loaches are peaceful, but not for me...they ATTACK and KILL goldfish! A group of tiger barbs could work too.

Overall I think tankmates with your species can be done, but a great deal of caution and care is needed to keep the tankmates (and cichlids) in good shape. Keep a hospital tank and meds on hand at all times, just in case it goes foul.

Hope this helps! Good luck with your cichlids

TL;DR red devil, jack dempsey, convict, firemouth, rubber lipped pleco, anaeus/brochis cory, eclipse, pictus, raphael, or butterfly catfish, chinese algae eater, bala/rainbow/red tail shark, bichir, peacock eel, dojo loach, tiger barbs

Thank you for your suggestions! I really like the jack, convict and firemouth ideas. I’d love a red devil but I think I’d need more space eventually than this 75 gallon.

 

[TClare]

I am not sure if adding another cichlid would work as the females are already residents and probably see the whole tank as their territory, salvinis can be quite aggressive, I think it would be a big risk, without totally dismantling and rearranging the tank, which I am sure you don't want to do. I would consider some swordtails, preferably wild type if you can find them. They would have to be already quite big or they might be eaten...they would also provide some live food for the cichlids when they have babies.

 

[HookedOnFish]

I am not sure if adding another cichlid would work as the females are already residents and probably see the whole tank as their territory, salvinis can be quite aggressive, I think it would be a big risk, without totally dismantling and rearranging the tank, which I am sure you don't want to do. I would consider some swordtails, preferably wild type if you can find them. They would have to be already quite big or they might be eaten...they would also provide some live food for the cichlids when they have babies.

The thing is, the male in the tank has pretty much made the tank his territory. The females don’t move much until it’s time to eat, otherwise the male is quick to chase them back to hiding. Do you think this would work in my favor, or still make it difficult?

 

[TClare]

The thing is, the male in the tank has pretty much made the tank his territory. The females don’t move much until it’s time to eat, otherwise the male is quick to chase them back to hiding. Do you think this would work in my favor, or still make it difficult?

I’m not sure because if you move the male it’s possible then that one of the females may become dominant, there could be aggression between them with the male no longer there,

 

[HookedOnFish]

I’m not sure because if you move the male it’s possible then that one of the females may become dominant, there could be aggression between them with the male no longer there,

I think I’m going to remove the male and one of the females. Then I’ll try my luck with 2-3 other small to medium CAs and some dithers like the swordtails you suggested.

 

[TClare]

That could work out.

 

[GlennO]

I think I’m going to remove the male and one of the females. Then I’ll try my luck with 2-3 other small to medium CAs and some dithers like the swordtails you suggested.

See if you can get other females especially if you get a convict since CA cichlids can hybridise.

 

[TClare]

Rather than a convict, which also can be quite aggressive, I might try something like Cryptoheros spilurus. They also occur together with salvini in the wild, in Belize at least.

 

[HookedOnFish]

Rather than a convict, which also can be quite aggressive, I might try something like Cryptoheros spilurus. They also occur together with salvini in the wild, in Belize at least.

I ended up donating all 3 salvini to my LFS on Sunday. I decided not to keep trying my luck with super aggressive fish. I got 11 tiger barbs (over 1”) and a blood parrot cichlid (3”). When my convict fry grow out, I’d like to add a female pink convict to the tank as well.

 

[GlennO]

Blood parrots freak me out and I must be one of the few long-term hobbyists to have never kept tiger barbs. Or any barbs for that matter. But it sounds like a combination that should work. Let us know how you go.

 

[HookedOnFish]

Blood parrots freak me out and I must be one of the few long-term hobbyists to have never kept tiger barbs. Or any barbs for that matter. But it sounds like a combination that should work. Let us know how you go.

Thank you, I’m really happy with this find, and the tank looks amazing with everyone swimming about. This BP does not have the typical deformed mouth, which I really like. Looks almost like a short body Red Devil…

 

[SamMe]

I have no input on the stocking, just wanted to say I am in love with your tank! Wood and anubias are my very favorite aquascapes. Absolutely lovely!

 

[HookedOnFish]

I have no input on the stocking, just wanted to say I am in love with your tank! Wood and anubias are my very favorite aquascapes. Absolutely lovely!

Thank you so much!!