Ellioti Cichlid (Thorichthys ellioti) Care Guide
Thorichthys ellioti is a small Mexican cichlid of the Papaloapán region, closely related to the firemouth and treated as a synonym of Thorichthys maculipinnis.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Thorichthys ellioti is a small Central American cichlid related to the firemouth, showing iridescent blue spotting and red ventral coloration. In current taxonomy the name Heros maculipinnis (now Thorichthys maculipinnis) has priority, and T. ellioti is treated as a synonym, though the name T. ellioti remains in common use. FishBase records a maximum standard length of about 15 cm for T. maculipinnis.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Thorichthys
- Scientific name: Thorichthys ellioti
- Senior synonym: Thorichthys maculipinnis (Steindachner, 1864)
Habitat
The species occurs in the lowlands of the Atlantic slope of Mexico, from the Actopan River south to the Papaloapán drainage in Veracruz and Oaxaca. It is typically found in groups over sandy substrates in the middle and lower reaches of clear rivers, in shallow zones with driftwood, leaf litter and dense riparian vegetation. FishBase lists temperatures of 25-28 °C.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 7.0-8.0
- GH: 8-18 °dGH
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
Diet
It is omnivorous (FishBase trophic level about 3.3), sifting through the substrate for edible items and expelling inedible material through the gills. In the aquarium it accepts a variety of live, frozen and quality dried foods.
Compatibility
It is a semi-aggressive cichlid, generally less aggressive than the firemouth, and can be kept with robust community species in a planted tank. Very small tetras and overly aggressive cichlids are best avoided.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (as Thorichthys maculipinnis): Least Concern (assessed 2018).
Thorichthys ellioti Breeding Guide
Overview
Thorichthys ellioti is a Mexican cichlid related to the firemouth and is a biparental substrate-spawner. In current usage the fish is often referred to as Thorichthys maculipinnis, with ellioti treated as the older name; this guide uses the record name Thorichthys ellioti while noting that synonymy.
Sexing
Males are typically larger and more colourful; females are smaller, more rounded and show a dark blotch in the middle of the dorsal fin. During breeding the male's belly becomes intensely red and the build is bulkier.
Conditioning
The species is an omnivore and breeds readily once adults are mature (from around 6-7 cm). A compatible pair is conditioned on a varied diet over a soft, fine sand bed with rockwork for territory.
Breeding Setup
- Soft, fine sand substrate for digging, with rockwork and wood for hiding spots and territory boundaries.
- Flat stones (around 7 by 6 cm) as spawning surfaces.
- Neutral, moderately hard water within the species' maintenance range.
- A separate breeding tank can be used to improve fry survival.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The pair selects and carefully cleans a flat stone before the female deposits the eggs and the male fertilises them. Parental care is divided, with the female fanning the eggs and the male defending the nest.
Egg & Fry Care
Clutches are around 100-200 eggs. Eggs hatch within roughly 72 hours, after which the parents move the larvae to a nursery pit dug near the spawning stone. Fry become free-swimming around five to seven days after hatching and are reared on fine dry food and frozen Artemia, transported by mouth and guarded by both parents.
Common Challenges
Breeding is generally straightforward; the main considerations are providing a sand bed, a flat spawning stone and enough space for the pair. The recorded breeding type is substrate-spawner, matching the biparental flat-stone spawning with pit-tending described by the sources used here.