Easy to moderate
Firemouth Cichlid (Thorichthys meeki)
23–30°C · pH 6.5–8 · 200L
£4.99
A bold, colourful Central American cichlid with great personality and striking markings. Ideal for larger warm, hard-water aquariums.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Thorichthys ellioti
Save when buying multiple fish. Each quantity is one fish; sex and pair formation are not guaranteed unless the selected variant explicitly states them.
A bold, colourful Central American cichlid with great personality and striking markings. Ideal for larger warm, hard-water aquariums.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Cichlids are one of the most diverse fish families in the hobby. From tiny apistogrammas to massive oscars, this guide covers the basics of keeping them well.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
The Ellioti Cichlid (Thorichthys ellioti) is a beautiful Central American cichlid and a close relative of the firemouth, prized for its glittering turquoise spangles and rich red throat and flanks. Colourful, characterful and more manageable than many Central Americans, it makes a rewarding, interactive centrepiece for a spacious, well-decorated aquarium.
Reaching around 15cm, the Ellioti has a tan-to-pearl body scattered with rows of iridescent blue-green spots, a red-flushed throat and belly, and dark spots along the flank. Colour intensifies dramatically when a fish is displaying, courting or defending territory, with males growing larger and more vividly marked than females.
Provide at least 300 litres with a soft sandy substrate it can dig, smooth rockwork, wood and some robust or artificial plants. Neutral to hard water (pH 7.0–8.5) at 20–27°C suits it, and strong filtration with regular water changes keeps this active, substrate-sifting cichlid in clean, stable conditions.
Semi-aggressive and territorial, especially when a pair is breeding, the Ellioti is nonetheless relatively peaceful for a Central American and can be kept with other robust, similarly-sized tankmates in a spacious tank. Like the firemouth, it flares its throat impressively to threaten rivals rather than fight outright.
| Great tank mates | Best avoided |
|---|---|
| Other medium Central American cichlids | Very small fish |
| Silver dollars and larger tetras | Timid or long-finned species |
| Robust catfish and plecos | Highly aggressive large cichlids |
| Similarly-sized, sturdy tankmates | Crowded tanks |
An omnivore, it thrives on quality cichlid pellets supplemented with frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and krill, plus some vegetable matter. Feed varied, modest portions once or twice a day to keep colour high and support healthy growth.
Ellioti cichlids form devoted pairs that spawn on a cleaned rock or pit and guard the eggs and fry together with great care. Give a pair space and cover, and you will be rewarded with one of the most attentive parenting displays among the smaller Central American cichlids.
Give it a soft sand bed and watch the throat-flaring displays — like its firemouth cousin, the Ellioti settles disputes mostly by bluffing with its bright red throat rather than by real fighting.
Every Ellioti Cichlid is hand-selected and quarantined before sale, then packed in oxygenated bags with insulation and heat packs when needed and sent by tracked, live-animal courier. Your order is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee, so it reaches you safely anywhere in the UK.
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