Salvini

[njstockley]

I was in the LFS yesterday doing some window shopping in advance of Christmas...they have a "returns" section - a horribly stocked Vision 450 which is currently housing about 4 6" oscars, 3 JDs, a Loisellei (which I wish I had the space for!), 15 RTBS among various other large CA cichlids until the new show tanks are set up. Sadly most have shredded fins, large scars, and the oscars and Loisellei have what looks like the start of HITH.

After looking on sadly, I noticed in the bottom corner of the tank, hidden under the filter box a beautiful Salvini. The colours on it were amazing - really vibrant. Apart from shredded fins, it looked quite healthy and gave the RTBS's in his corner a hard time if they got too close.

I'm really tempted to face the wrath of my Mrs, set up my new (to me!) Rio 180 this side of Christmas, and give this guy a new home. But before I take that step, I wanted to see if anyone else had experiences with this fish? What I've read online doesn't really give a consistent view on them... So my questions are:

• Is my tank size suitable? What I've read suggests yes ...
• What (if any) tankmates would work? I thought maybe neon dwarf rainbow fish - deep bodied, compatible water chemistry, and quick! Would adding another mid-sized cichlid be overstocking and asking for trouble? Other suggestions would be great.
• The tank will be filtered by definitely one, and maybe a second Ex1200 - most of what I've read says they appreciate the high flow, and that would work for rainbows too (if they're compatible).
• Behaviour? Would this guy ever come out? Are they shy fish by nature? Or are they deserving of their aggressive reputation..?
• Is HITH contagious - is buying a fish from a tank where you can see some disease a really bad idea? I'm guessing yes...

Looking forward to answers, and sorry for all the questions!!

Thanks,

Nick

 

[holidayinn]

Hi, have briefly kept Salvini, very colourful and aggressive fish, grows to approx 8”, bit of a hider ime, but didn’t keep him for long.

In a 180l, possibly some dithers such as barbs, but looking at a wet pet (solo) setting really.

Buying a fish where diseases are visually present isn’t a great idea, but if you keep it solo in the tank, would effectively be quarantining it. I think HITH stems from bad water quality, but if the Salvini doesn’t show any sign of it, then you could possibly avoid it. If based in London, could possibly source a juvenile? Would have better luck with tankmates if he/she grows up with them.

 

[GShorty1981]

Never seen one hit 8", biggest i have had is 5" for a 5 year old male specimen, have kept loads over the years, they are a notch up on Convicts for aggressive behavior, but they don't harass fish as much as convicts, they pick a small territory and defend it aggressively, basically cut a Jaguar Cichlid in half, and you get a Salvini.

Also they have some nasty teeth/jaws and they will attack your hand if you go into there zone, my Salvini i had drew blood on me.

 

[njstockley]

If based in London, could possibly source a juvenile? Would have better luck with tankmates if he/she grows up with them.

I thought this too. They have some nice juvies in a couple of the shops up in Crews Hill. But seeing a larger one was very tempting!!

Basically cut a Jaguar Cichlid in half, and you get a Salvini.

Also they have some nasty teeth/jaws and they will attack your hand if you go into there zone, my Salvini i had drew blood on me

You haven't painted the best picture of them!

Went back and had another look at him over lunch. So so tempted, but would it really limit my stocking, and just have to settle with him alone in the tank? Did notice a couple of the smaller cons in the tank with ich, so pretty concerned about the health of any of the fish in there, and making me doubt whether I would want to commit to buying one from that tank.

Thanks for your help so far guys!

Nick