Ellioti cichlid
Thorichthys maculipinnis
Also known as Thorichthys ellioti, Elliot's cichlid, Spotcheek cichlid, Spot cheek cichlid
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 7.0–8.0
- Adult size
- 5.9 in
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 53 gal
- 200 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Easy
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Atlantic slope of eastern Mexico in the Rio Papaloapan basin, over sand and rock in slow lower river valleys.
Overview
A pair does well in a 200 liter tank at 24 to 28 C and pH 7.0 to 8.0 over soft sand. Feed sinking pellets, frozen foods, and live foods, which they pick from the substrate. They are mostly peaceful and work in a Central American community with similarly sized, calm tankmates. Both parents guard the eggs and fry.
In the wild
The ellioti cichlid comes from the Rio Papaloapan basin on the Atlantic slope of eastern Mexico. It lives over sand and rock in slow lower river valleys. Like its firemouth relative, it sifts fine sand for food, so a soft substrate matters. Give it open sand with scattered rocks and roots for cover.
Good to know
The valid name is Thorichthys maculipinnis, described by Steindachner in 1864, and Thorichthys ellioti is a junior synonym still used across the trade. It reaches about 15 cm and is less aggressive than the true firemouth. Males show red and blue spangling with a dark spot on the gill cover and flank.
Did you know
When threatened it flares its bright throat and gill covers to look larger, a bluff shared with other Thorichthys.
Common questions
What size tank does an Ellioti cichlid need?
An Ellioti cichlid needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does an Ellioti cichlid need?
An Ellioti cichlid is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.
How big does an Ellioti cichlid get?
An adult Ellioti cichlid reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).
Related species
5.9 in (15 cm)30 gal (115 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Firemouth cichlid
Thorichthys meeki
5.9 in (15 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)
6.7 in (17 cm)66 gal (250 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)Callolepis firemouth
Thorichthys callolepis
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6.7 in (17 cm)66 gal (250 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)Yellow firemouth
Thorichthys affinis
6.7 in (17 cm) · 66 gal (250 L)
6.7 in (17 cm)66 gal (250 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)Yellow-cheek firemouth
Thorichthys helleri
6.7 in (17 cm) · 66 gal (250 L)
7.1 in (18 cm)66 gal (250 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)Blue flash firemouth
Thorichthys aureus
7.1 in (18 cm) · 66 gal (250 L)
4.7 in (12 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)Mixteco cichlid
Thorichthys panchovillai
4.7 in (12 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)