Thorichthys callolepis Care Guide
Thorichthys callolepis is a Mexican cichlid of the Coatzacoalcos drainage, a less-traded relative of the firemouth.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Thorichthys callolepis is a Central American cichlid of the family Cichlidae, known by the common name San Domingo cichlid. According to FishBase it occurs on the Atlantic slope in the Coatzacoalcos River drainage of Mexico. It is a less commonly traded member of the firemouth genus Thorichthys.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Thorichthys
- Scientific name: Thorichthys callolepis (Regan, 1904)
- Common name: San Domingo cichlid (FishBase)
Habitat
FishBase records the species over rocky substrates in faster-flowing upper river sections and headwaters of the Coatzacoalcos drainage. It is a freshwater, benthopelagic fish of tropical waters.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L (about 53 gal)
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 7.0-8.0
- GH: 8-18 °dGH
- Maximum length: about 14 cm SL (FishBase)
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
Diet
The species is an omnivore (FishBase trophic level 3.3), in line with other members of the genus that sift sand for small invertebrates and organic matter. A varied diet of prepared and frozen foods suits it in the aquarium.
Compatibility
Thorichthys callolepis is semi-aggressive and occupies the middle water column. Suitable tank mates include convict cichlids, bristlenose plecos and silver dollars, while small tetras and overly aggressive cichlids are best avoided.
Breeding
Like its relatives the species is a substrate spawner; FishBase notes that detailed migration and reproductive data remain undetermined.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Data Deficient (assessed 2018).
Thorichthys callolepis Breeding Guide
Overview
Thorichthys callolepis is a firemouth relative endemic to the Coatzacoalcos River drainage in Mexico, where it inhabits the faster-flowing upper reaches and headwaters over rocky substrate. FishBase records a maximum length of about 14 cm SL. It is a biparental substrate spawner, notable as the only Thorichthys lacking the characteristic gill-cover eye spot.
Conditioning
In the wild, reproduction begins in the last months of the dry season around February, when the water is warmer and the flow is gentler. To bring fish into condition, AquaInfo recommends keeping temperature no higher than about 25 C and changing roughly half the water each week. FishBase lists a temperature range of 24-26 C and a pH from about 7.9 upward.
Breeding Setup
- Provide a small stone or flat surface on the sheltered bank area, which the pair will select as a spawning site.
- Use sand substrate suited to a fish that sifts the bottom for food.
- Reported aquarium parameters: pH 7.0-8.0, hardness around 6-16 dGH.
- A tank of roughly 200 L suits a pair.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Warmer water and reduced flow trigger spawning. The pair seeks out sheltered banks; both fish flare their red gill membranes and perform jerking displays. Clutches are smaller than in other Thorichthys, averaging no more than about 200 eggs in the wild and considerably fewer in the aquarium. Eggs are oval, amber-coloured and inconspicuous.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch after about 48 hours, and the fry become free-swimming after roughly 5 to 6 days. Both parents tend the brood intensely, defending the young decisively against much larger fish. Young leave their parents after about two months, when they are just over an inch in size.
Common Challenges
The species is comparatively mild but still defends spawns vigorously, so house breeders with robust, non-aggressive tankmates. Small aquarium clutches mean lower fry yields, so allowing the pair to settle and gain size improves results.