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: Tankmates with caution
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Coastal West Africa, Ivory Coast to Nigeria
Family: Cichlidae

Overview

This is a quiet West African cichlid from the older days of the hobby, kept as a single fish or a bonded pair rather than a group. It keeps to the lower water among roots and shade, on the secretive side. It is mostly peaceful but a pair guards its brood closely, so pick tankmates with a little care: peaceful, soft-water community fish given room away from the spawning site. Feed an omnivore diet of sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and some plant matter. A pair needs a tank of at least 200 liters with driftwood, shade and soft, gently tinted water.

In the wild

Thysochromis ansorgii lives in shaded coastal streams and swamps of West Africa, from the Ivory Coast east to Nigeria, in soft, often tea-stained water. Recreate that with driftwood, leaf litter, shady cover and a sandy floor, with a tannin stain from botanicals. Keep the water soft and slightly acidic, around 23 to 27 C at a pH from 6.0 to 7.2, with gentle flow and dim light.

Good to know

In the family Cichlidae, this species reaches about 10.5 centimeters and 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. It is a biparental substrate spawner, and the pair shares the work of guarding eggs and fry, so breeding is a moderate project.

Did you know

It is one of the classic old West African community cichlids, valued less for flash than for the close teamwork of a bonded pair that guards its eggs and shepherds the fry side by side.