{"product_id":"eliotti-cichlid-thorichthys-ellioti","title":"Ellioti Cichlid | Thorichthys ellioti","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Ellioti Cichlid sparkles with turquoise spangles over a warm body edged in red, and flares its gill covers in bluff displays just like its Firemouth cousin. Colourful and relatively peaceful for a Central American, it reaches around 13–15 cm and makes a characterful centrepiece for a bigger community.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative to the Atlantic-slope rivers of southern Mexico, particularly the Papaloapan and Coatzacoalcos systems. It favours slow to moderate flowing waters with sandy and rocky beds, submerged wood and some vegetation, where it sifts the substrate for food.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA moderately deep-bodied Thorichthys with a base of tan to olive scattered with rows of glittering blue-green spangles, a dark blotch on the flank and gill cover, and red flushing through the lower body and finnage. Displaying and breeding fish intensify dramatically in colour. The sexes are similar, with males growing a little larger.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSemi-aggressive but, like the Firemouth, more bluster than bite — it flares its bright throat to intimidate rather than fight. It becomes genuinely territorial when breeding. It suits a spacious community of robust, similarly-sized tankmates that can hold their own without being bullies.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that sifts sand for small invertebrates in the wild. Feed a quality cichlid pellet as the staple, with frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and mysis, plus some vegetable content. A varied diet keeps colour and condition strong.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a roomy tank with a soft sand substrate it can sift, rock and wood for territories and cover, and clean, well-filtered water. It is fairly adaptable across neutral to hard water but appreciates stability and good water quality. Robust plants or hardy species set into pots fare best, as it may disturb rooted plants while foraging.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn open, substrate-spawning cichlid that forms strong pairs. The pair clean a flat rock or clear a pit and both parents guard the eggs and fry diligently, becoming notably more aggressive during this time. Warm, clean, stable water encourages spawning.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThorichthys ellioti (syn. Thorichthys maculipinnis)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEllioti Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAtlantic slope of southern Mexico\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e13–15 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e23–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–20 dGH (medium to hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpacious Central American cichlid communities\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMostly (may uproot plants while sifting)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRobust, similarly-sized Central American cichlids such as firemouths and other Thorichthys, larger peaceful tetras and barbs, and sturdy catfish like plecos in a spacious tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTiny community fish that may be eaten or outcompeted, very aggressive large cichlids that will dominate it, and delicate soft-water species.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232805863715,"sku":"AA3344-S","price":39.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232805896483,"sku":"AA3344","price":44.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232805929251,"sku":"AA3344-L","price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/eliotti-cichlid-thorichthys-43886465351971.webp?v=1790306096","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/eliotti-cichlid-thorichthys-ellioti","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}