The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of salinity and feeding frequency on zootechnical performance of Pterophyllum scalare and Heros severus five-day-old post-larvae. Two experiments were performed in a completely randomized experimental design in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme, with 5 different NaCl concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 g/L) and 2 feeding frequencies (2 and 4 times a day). P. scalare showed the highest survival rates (p<0.05) when subjected to salinities of 0, 2 and 4 g/L (97.50–96.25%), and higher values (p<0.05) for standard length (13.22 mm), weight (64.64 mg) and specific growth rate (15.41% per day) when fed 4 times a day. For this species, feeding frequency did not influence survival rates. H. severus, in turn, showed higher survival rates in water without the addition of salt (96.25%) and the highest standard length in salinity of 2 g/L (11.80 mm). H. severus fed 4 times a day and presented the highest values (p<0.05) for most of the growth variables (weight: 57.28 mg, specific growth rate: 18.30% per day). The results of the present study suggest that banded cichlid post-larvae showed higher survival rates in water without salt addition, however, the best growth of this species occurred at the salinity of 2 g/L. In contrast, angelfish post-larvae can be cultivated in salinities of up to 4 g/LNaCl. A feeding frequency of 4 times per day is recommended for both species.