Thorichthys ID a few months on

[Rafini]

Hey guys I picked up some young thorichthys a few months ago because they didn't look like any of the others I saw locally, IE Firemouths. I figured they were either some locality or another Thorichthys species.

They have both grown quite well over the last 2 months or so after being barely an inch or so when I got them, the larger one has a nice dorsal extension, actually a better one than my Heckelii right now lol. they are the definition of peaceful and they mostly sift sand and patrol their little area in my 120.

I was told that they could possibly be Elliots cichlid, when I showed them on here before, and I was just wondering if that ID is still good? I have kept and bred T. Meeki before and I wouldn`t say that these fish remind me very much of the ones I used to keep in coloration or attitude,

larger one

Smaller one with a lot of pinky red

 

[mrrobxc]

I think they are meeki. Just a little washed out. Ellioti has more spngling.ill through body and near abdomen.

 

[Jakob]

I disagree, they are still juveniles, and Meeki usually don't have that much spangling in their cheeks.

I'd place my bet on Ellioti.

 

[fug202]

What Mrrobxc said. The red on young ellioti/maculipinnis tends to be more of a patch on the abdomen. It doesn't extend as much along the chin and ventral surface. Also, there is more spangling on the face (although yours have quite a bit for meeki). Below are examples:

 

[Rafini]

All the other Meeki I have seen were a lot more grey colored with clear orange throats etc

I know there are some variants like the fish from the Mixteco river system, is it not possible they are one of those?
I mean I`ve had meeki quite a few times over the last 10 years or so and I picked these guys up under the assumption they were something a little different.

I hate to throw it out there, as everyone here has a field day with it, but is it possible they are hybrids?

 

[fug202]

There is a fair amount of variation in firemouths found in LFS, some beautiful, some bland. Most (if not all) come from breeding farms and are generations removed from wild stock. Unless you purchase firemouths from a specialized outlet with specific collection information (e.g., online stores like Tangled Up In Cichlids), you likely have breeding farm stock. I guess they could be hybrids, but I think its more likely you simply have a batch of meeki with nice blues on the face.

The colors overall should intensive over time, although changes in pattern may occur. Below are photos of the same fish taken one year apart. When I bought the juvenile I was really impressed with its spangles, but these gave way to more standard firemouth colors.

 

[Rafini]

holy crap thats one of the most beautiful firemouths I have ever seen!

so even if these guys do turn out to be Meeki then they should develop into some very interesting looking ones, I must have just found some good quality stock, the store I got them from has had wild CA cichlids before. their importer has carried a lot of obscure species including some madagascar cichlids and the Malawi trout cichlid.

 

[fug202]

Keep growing them out and see how they shape up. Could be fantastic. Good luck!

 

[Rafini]

Yeah thats what I'm hoping. I can't wait to grow these guys out now if thats what I could get. judging by the growth rate and appearance of / lack of trailers leads me to believe I may have a boy and girl. if so I will try and breed them for sure.

 

[cichlidfish]

Th

Hey guys I picked up some young thorichthys a few months ago because they didn't look like any of the others I saw locally, IE Firemouths. I figured they were either some locality or another Thorichthys species.

They have both grown quite well over the last 2 months or so after being barely an inch or so when I got them, the larger one has a nice dorsal extension, actually a better one than my Heckelii right now lol. they are the definition of peaceful and they mostly sift sand and patrol their little area in my 120.

I was told that they could possibly be Elliots cichlid, when I showed them on here before, and I was just wondering if that ID is still good? I have kept and bred T. Meeki before and I wouldn`t say that these fish remind me very much of the ones I used to keep in coloration or attitude,

larger one

Smaller one with a lot of pinky red

They are meeki. As mentioned meeki's colors can vary depending on where collected. They can have more blue w/ less red, more intense red and less blue, more orange than red, and males can get some really nice trailers. Also some could be a mix of color combos since they are mostly likely tank raised. They look really nice!