Ellioti Cichlid
Thorichthys ellioti
Cichlidae
About
The ellioti cichlid is a colourful Central American cichlid from the Papaloapan river basin on the Atlantic slope of Mexico, closely related to the firemouth and often called the yellow firemouth. Growing to around 12-15 cm, it wears iridescent blue speckling over a warm tan body with a bold cheek spot and red-flushed throat. It is notably calmer than most Central Americans, bluffing and displaying far more than it fights, though a breeding pair will defend a modest territory.
Care
Keep a pair in a tank at least 100 cm long over fine, soft sand, with rockwork and wood for cover and neutral to hard, alkaline water. Relatively peaceful for a cichlid but territorial when spawning, so give tankmates space and avoid tiny or slow companions.
Diet
Omnivore that sifts sand for small invertebrates and organic matter. Feed sinking cichlid pellets plus frozen krill, mysis and brine shrimp, with occasional greens; soft sand lets it forage naturally.
Tankmate compatibility
Possible with care (226)
Avoid (45)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.
Telling males from females
What works for this species, most reliable first.
- Extended finsStrong · from about 8 months, and later in a suppressed male
On many cichlids and killifish the male's dorsal and anal fins draw out into trailing points as he matures, while the female's stay rounded.
- VentingA hint only · only on a mature fish, easiest when she is in breeding condition
The method breeders use when the answer has to be right. Hold the fish upside down in a wet hand or soft net and look at the two openings ahead of the anal fin. The forward one is the anus; the one behind it is what you are reading.
- Adult sizeA hint only · only across animals of the same age
In many cichlids, catfish and loaches one sex simply grows larger — usually the male, though there are well-known reversals.
Also in these lists
Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Ellioti Cichlid need?
- A Ellioti Cichlid needs an aquarium of at least 200 litres (52.8 US gallons) with a footprint at least 100 cm (39.4 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a Ellioti Cichlid need?
- Ellioti Cichlid does best at 22–28 °C (71.6–82.4 °F), pH 6.5–8.5 and a general hardness of 8–20 °dGH.
- Is the Ellioti Cichlid suitable for beginners?
- Ellioti Cichlid sits in the middle of the difficulty scale — manageable for a careful beginner who has done the reading, but it has specific needs worth researching first.