Elliot's Cichlid

Thorichthys ellioti is a striking cichlid from the Atlantic slope rivers of Mexico, closely related to the Firemouth Cichlid but displaying more elaborate iridescent patterning. Males develop vivid orange-red lower bodies and flanks covered in shimmering blue-green scales. Like other Thorichthys species, it uses gill-flaring threat displays rather than outright combat, making it manageable in a suitably stocked aquarium.

Water: 22–28°C, pH 7.0–8.0, moderately hard (GH 8–20). Tank: Minimum 200L with sandy substrate, caves, and driftwood; allow territories. Feeding: Omnivore; offer pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, and vegetable matter. Behaviour: Semi-aggressive and territorial, especially when breeding; gill-flare displays are bluff. Compatibility: House with similarly sized robust fish; avoid fin-nippers and very docile species.