Thorichthys ellioti

[james99]

I've seen some of these local and was thinking of picking up a few to start off in a 55. Does anyone have these? How is aggression? Would a pair or group work better? Also if anyone has anything else to share about these I would like to hear it. Pics would be cool too.

 

[cichlidfish]

I have had them. The are one of the more aggressive thorichthys species, but not anymore than meeki IMO. They do best in groups so I'd keep 4-6 in that tank. If they pair off, the pair might get too aggressive for the others. Just something to look out for, but you may be ok.
IME they stress easily and prone to bloat if tankmates are too aggressive.

 

[james99]

Good info, I like the group idea. Right now the tank has 4 filament barbs and a 2" paratilapia polleni growing out. Hell be going to the 6ft when he gets about 4". I had all African cichlids so far so bloat wouldn't be anything new.

 

[dan518]

You want 2 females to every male at the very least preferably 3 to 1 imo.

 

[james99]

Is there an easy way to differentiate males and females?



Edit: just found out the females should have a black blotch on the dorsal fin.

 

[dan518]

Yea there pretty easy to tell apart

 

[james99]

What about tankmates? Dithers like swordtails and mollies or another small cichlid pair?

 

[cichlidfish]

Swordtails and mollies would be great.

 

[james99]

Swordtails and mollies would be great.

Cool, I've been told I can find wild mollies in some drainage ditches locally. I might try to catch a few if it isn't too cold.

 

[cichlidfish]

Cool, I've been told I can find wild mollies in some drainage ditches locally. I might try to catch a few if it isn't too cold.

That would be cool. Just make sure you quarenteen those fish so you don't pass on disease or parasites.