TankBud

Ellioti cichlid

Thorichthys maculipinnis

Also known as Thorichthys ellioti, Elliot's cichlid, Spotcheek cichlid, Spot cheek cichlid

FreshwaterFish

Ellioti cichlid (Thorichthys maculipinnis)
Tkrasniewski · Public domain

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

The Ellioti cichlid is a calmer relative of the firemouth and keeps to the bottom of the tank. It is an easy cichlid to keep.

Did you know

When threatened, the Ellioti cichlid flares its bright throat and gill covers to look larger. Other Thorichthys use the same bluff.

Caring for the Ellioti cichlid

A pair of Ellioti cichlids does well in at least 53 gal (200 L). They sift fine sand for their food, so a soft substrate matters. Lay open sand with scattered rocks and roots for cover.

Keep the water at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) with a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. Feed sinking pellets, frozen foods and live foods, which they pick from the substrate.

Ellioti cichlids are mostly peaceful and work in a Central American community with calm tank mates of a similar size. Choose those tank mates with some caution. Pairs breed easily, and both parents guard the eggs and fry.

Good to know

The Ellioti cichlid belongs to the family Cichlidae, and its valid name is Thorichthys maculipinnis, described by Steindachner in 1864. Thorichthys ellioti is a junior synonym, but the trade still uses it widely. Males show red and blue spangling, with a dark spot on the gill cover and flank.

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.

From published sources

Tank mates

Each fish here is named as a tank mate for the Ellioti cichlid by at least two published care guides. Give a pair at least 50 gallons (190 liters), since it turns territorial when it spawns.

Sources: Fishkeeper (Maidenhead Aquatics), Garnelio, Fishkeeping News (Jeremy Gay), Imperial Tropicals, Riverpark Aquatics, Practical Fishkeeping (Gabor Horvath).

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

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.

What does an Ellioti cichlid eat?

An Ellioti cichlid eats sinking pellets, frozen foods and live foods, which it picks from the substrate.

How big does an Ellioti cichlid get?

An adult Ellioti cichlid reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

How does an Ellioti cichlid breed?

Ellioti cichlids breed easily as a pair, and both parents guard the eggs and fry.

What fish can live with the Ellioti cichlid?

Published care guides name green swordtail, blind cave tetra, Buenos Aires tetra and Boeseman's rainbowfish, among others. Give a pair at least 50 gallons (190 liters), since it turns territorial when it spawns.

Related species