Five spot cichlid
Thysochromis ansorgii
Also known as Ansorge's five-spot, Thysia ansorgii
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.2
- Adult size
- 4.1 in
- 10.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 53 gal
- 200 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
- Coastal West Africa, Ivory Coast to Nigeria
Overview
The five spot cichlid is a quiet West African cichlid for a shaded, soft-water tank. It is best with a little experience.
Did you know
The five spot cichlid is one of the classic old West African community cichlids. It is prized less for flash than for the close teamwork of a bonded pair. The two guard their eggs and shepherd the fry side by side.
Caring for the five spot cichlid
A pair of five spot cichlids needs at least 53 gal (200 L), with driftwood, leaf litter and shady cover over a sandy floor. Botanicals give the water a gentle tannin stain. They keep to the lower water among roots and shade, and they are on the secretive side.
Keep the water soft and slightly acidic, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.2. Use gentle flow and dim light. Feed an omnivore diet of sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp, with some plant matter.
Keep a single fish or a bonded pair rather than a group. The five spot cichlid is mostly peaceful, but a pair guards its brood closely. Choose tank mates with care, such as peaceful soft-water community fish, and give them room away from the spawning site.
It is a biparental substrate spawner, and the pair shares the work of guarding eggs and fry. Breeding it is a moderate project.
Good to know
The five spot cichlid is a member of the family Cichlidae. It takes its common name from a row of dark blotches along the flank. Its species name, ansorgii, honors William John Ansorge, the naturalist who collected many West African fishes.
In the wild
Thysochromis ansorgii lives in shaded coastal streams and swamps of West Africa, from the Ivory Coast east to Nigeria. The water there is soft and often tea-stained.
Common questions
What size tank does a five spot cichlid need?
A five spot cichlid needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a five spot cichlid need?
A five spot cichlid is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.2.
What does a five spot cichlid eat?
A five spot cichlid eats an omnivore diet of sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp, with some plant matter.
How big does a five spot cichlid get?
An adult five spot cichlid reaches about 4.1 in (10.5 cm).
How does a five spot cichlid breed?
Five spot cichlids are biparental substrate spawners. The pair shares the work of guarding the eggs and fry, and breeding is a moderate project.
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