TankBud

Callolepis firemouth

Thorichthys callolepis

Also known as San Domingo firemouth

FreshwaterFish

Callolepis firemouth (Thorichthys callolepis)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–84°F
24–29°C
pH
7.0–8.2
Adult size
6.7 in
17 cm
Minimum tank
66 gal
250 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Substrate spawner · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Coatzacoalcos basin, Mexico

Overview

The Callolepis firemouth is a firemouth relative from southern Mexico that works the bottom of a sandy, rocky tank. It is best kept by someone with a little experience.

Did you know

Thorichthys cichlids are called firemouths for the red throat that dominant fish flare during standoffs to look bigger. The Callolepis firemouth trades most of that red for iridescent scales, so its display leans on shine instead.

Caring for the Callolepis firemouth

A pair of Callolepis firemouths needs at least 66 gal (250 L), with a sand floor, smooth rock and driftwood. Arrange the rock and wood into territories and hiding places. This firemouth works the lower part of the tank, sifting sand and grazing.

Keep the water at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.2, with gentle current and good filtration. Feed a varied diet of sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and mysis, with some vegetable content.

Keep it like other Thorichthys, as a single fish or a bonded pair rather than a group. It is mostly peaceful, but a settled pair defends its patch at breeding time. Give it space, and pick calm tank mates of a similar size with care.

It is a substrate spawner, and breeding it is moderately difficult. A pair cleans a surface, then guards the eggs and fry together.

Good to know

The Callolepis firemouth is a firemouth-type member of the cichlid family. It shows rows of iridescent silver-blue scales, and its name, meaning beautiful scale, describes them.

In the wild

The Callolepis firemouth lives in clear, rocky creeks and headwaters of the Coatzacoalcos basin in Mexico. The water there is warm, with some flow, and runs neutral to slightly hard.

Common questions

What size tank does a Callolepis firemouth need?

A Callolepis firemouth needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Callolepis firemouth need?

A Callolepis firemouth is comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.2.

What does a Callolepis firemouth eat?

A Callolepis firemouth eats a varied diet of sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and mysis. Add some vegetable content as well.

How big does a Callolepis firemouth get?

An adult Callolepis firemouth reaches about 6.7 in (17 cm).

How does a Callolepis firemouth breed?

Callolepis firemouths are substrate spawners. A pair cleans a surface and guards the eggs and fry together, and breeding them is moderately difficult.

Related species