Thorichthys maculipinnis

Thorichthys maculipinnis

The Thorichthys maculipinnis male can reach a length of about 15 centimetres. The female remains slightly smaller. Origin: southeastern Mexico, Rio Nacional and Papaloapán basin lower than 300 meters. Climate: tropical freshwater, 22-28°C Water values: pH 7.0-8.5; GH 8-12; Although the water values are not very demanding, good water quality is important.

Aquarium length: 150 cm for a small group, for a couple with a few smaller, calm schooling fish a tank of 100-120 cm can also suffice. However, the larger the aquarium, the more fun you will have with these fish.

Synonyms: Thorichthys maculipinnis, Cichlasoma ellioti, Heros maculipinnis, Thorichthys ellioti.

Natural habitat

Thorichthys maculipinnis naturally lives in clear, less clear or even turbid water with very limited visibility. The water flows slowly and usually has a sandy bottom which is often covered by a layer of leaves from trees. Due to the turbid water and overhanging branches, the amount of light is minimal and water plants are usually absent. The rivers are usually surrounded by trees whose roots stand in the water. These provide additional hiding places for Thorychtis. The water has a pH between 7.5 and 8.0 and a hardness of about 8 DH. The temperature varies between 25 and 28°C.

In the natural habitat, cichlids like Petenia splendida, Mayaheros urophthalmus, Rocio octofasciata, Cichlasoma salvini, Paratheraps fenestratus, en Paraneetroplus nebuliferus. Many other fish species are also present, including fish from the families Atherinidae, Belonidae, Characidae, Clupeidae, Glassfish, Cyprinodontidae, Eleotridae, Gerreidae, Lepisosteidae, Mugilidae, Pimelodidae, Poeciliidae and Symbranchidae.

Description

Thorichthys maculipinnis is very similar to the other Thorichthys species, such as the more famous Firemouth Cichlid (Thorichthys meeki). Striking features of Thorichthys maculipinnis are the red belly, the fluorescent blue spots near the beak that continue on the belly and the large black dot on the side of the body. Like all Thorichthys species (except Thorichthys callolepsis), Thorichthys maculipinnis also has a black eye-like spot on the gill covers. During the mating season and while defending the territory, the vertical bands over the entire body are clearly visible. This is less clear outside the mating season. Often, instead of the vertical bands, a horizontal dark stripe runs all over the body, which is strongly compressed laterally. The dorsal fin, with filamentous elongated rays (which can also be found on the dorsal, anal, and caudal fin), has a red stripe at the top. The anal fin has the same red stripe. Furthermore, this fish has a fairly pointed head with a not-too-large mouth.

It is often difficult to distinguish this fish from other Thorichthys species. One difference would be that Thorichthys maculipinnis has thicker lips than the other Thorichthys species. There is even less difference between the males and the females of this species. The males are generally somewhat larger and the fins are slightly more pointed, but this difference is not very large.

The Aquarium

The soil must consist of a fine and not too sharp substrate. Sand as a bottom is ideal for this fish. It is important that the sand is not too coarse and not too sharp because this fish regularly takes a bite of sand and part of the sand comes out through the gills. Sharp material will damage the gills and should therefore be avoided. The decoration may further consist of boulders and driftwood. Make sure that these are firmly in place so that the fish cannot get stuck under them. Plants are possible, but they must be sturdy and have a good root system. Although this fish is not a great digger, small plants or plants that are not firmly attached will be dug out. Especially when they have eggs, they sometimes feel the need to dig. Plants like Echinodorus are very suitable.

Diet

Thorichthys maculipinnis eats almost all types of food. Although bloodworms belong to the natural diet, this is not recommended. These are often grown in fairly polluted water and the fish is somewhat vulnerable. It is better to choose such foods as krill, mysis or brine shrimp. Dry food such as Spirulina flakes or cichlid sticks are also well eaten. The food is eaten from all water layers, but it is best if the food does not float on the surface for too long, but slowly sinks to the bottom. The food that is not picked up immediately and ends up on the bottom is usually eaten later. They then take a big bite of sand and get the food in between. They then spit out the sand.

Behavior

Thorichthys maculipinnis resides near the bottom or middle layer of the water column, above sandy and rocky bottoms. It occurs naturally in still or slow-flowing waters. Outside the breeding season, they live in loose groups. During the breeding season, these groups disintegrate and flocks form. It is a calm fish that is fairly easy to keep in the aquarium. Unlike some Central American cichlids, Thorichthys maculipinnis is not an aggressive species. Even when they have a nest with eggs, they are still relatively peaceful. This should be taken into account when choosing the co-residents. Aggressive tankmates will soon cause the death of this fish. While it is possible to keep these fish as a pair, it seems preferable to keep them in groups. Do not keep this fish with too small tankmates. If it fits in its mouth, there is a chance that it will eat it. Although it is possible to keep several Thorichthys species together in one tank, this is not recommended. It is possible that the species interbreed and that is of course not desirable.

Breeding Thorichthys maculipinnis

Forming a couple is usually very simple. When a male and a female are together, a couple usually develops automatically. With good water quality and alternating feeding, they will spawn regularly. The number of eggs can be between 100 and 500. Although these fish lay their eggs in a cave in the wild, there is no need to build a cave in the aquarium. The fish also quickly settle for other options for depositing their eggs, such as a smooth stone or a large leaf. After cleaning the substrate, the female deposits the eggs and they are fertilized by the male. After spawning, the parents fan the eggs and defend them against egg predators.

Although without much aggression, they do manage to hold their own. Apparently, even a 30-centimetre Cincelichthys pearsei or synspilum is chased away without hesitation. When defending the territory, the male raises his gills and swims menacingly towards the intruder. Usually, this is enough to repel the intruder. The fish will therefore not harm or kill an intruder to protect its young. The territory is usually only about 30 centimetres in size. This makes it a good cichlid for the “smaller tanks”. With “the smaller tanks” we do not mean 60 and 80-centimetre tanks here, but tanks from 1 meter, which is relatively small for a Central America aquarium.

When defending the territory, the male raises his gills and swims menacingly towards the intruder. Usually, this is enough to repel the intruder. The fish will therefore not harm or kill an intruder to protect its young. The territory is usually only about 30 centimetres in size. This makes it a good cichlid for the “smaller tanks”. With “the smaller tanks” we do not mean 60 and 80-centimetre tanks here, but tanks from 1 meter, which is relatively small for a Central America aquarium.

I have not yet succeeded in raising the fry in the community tank. Often they eventually fell prey to the other fish. With the last breeding, I chose to vacuum a (somewhat large part) of the nest and transfer it to a breeding tank. This is safer for the fry, but it is also easier to feed. This can be done with Liquifry, dust feed or with artemia nauplii.

All in all, in my opinion, this is a very nice fish to keep. It is not very difficult to keep and it does not require a huge tank, unlike many other Central American cichlids. Definitely recommended for the novice Central America enthusiast, but also the advanced aquarist will enjoy this fish.

Video

History of the name

(by Rene Beerlink – NVC)

Thorichthys maculipinnis is a fish with an eventful, confusing and, to this day, not fully elucidated taxonomic status. Here is a brief summary of the taxonomic history:
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1843: Karl Bartholomäus Heller, a naturalist botanist who was looking for botanical novelties in Mexico on behalf of the Austrian Horticultural Association, catches a Cichlid in the Rio Jamapa and sends it to Austria as a by-catch.
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1864: Franz Steindachner describes the fish as Heros maculipinnis, not mentioning any resemblance to the Heros helleri he describes at the same time. He mentions that the fish resembles Heros fenestratus.
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1904: Seth Eugene Meek establishes the genus Thorichthys and has this genus led by T. elliot. A fish caught by Meek in the Rio Papaloapan. This river is located near the Rio Jamapa (the type location of the H. maculipinnis). Some consider the Jamapa to be part of the same basin as the Papaloapan. The fact remains, however, that both rivers have no direct connection. In addition to the ellioti, the helleri, aureus and affinis are also included in this new genus. Heros maculipinnis is also regarded by Meek as a Thorichthys, but as a synonym of Thorichthys helleri.
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1905: Charles Tate Regan goes one step further. T. helleri (which therefore still contains the maculipinnis) is considered, together with T. ellioti, by Regan as a synonym of T. aureus. In doing so, the genus Thorichthys is relegated to a section within Cichlasoma. The Thorichthys section then contains only three species, Cichlasoma callolepis, Cichlasoma affinis and Cichlasoma aureus (which contains the helleri and therefore also the maculipinnis)
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1983: Kullander unpacks the genus Cichlasoma again, restoring the status of the genus Thorichthys. The three species that were in C. aureus also each regain their status. However, H. maculipinnis remains synonymous with T. helleri.
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1996: Juan Artigas restores the status of H. maculipinnis in his “The forgotten Maculipinnis”. He states that Torichthys ellioti is a junior synonym of Heros maculipinnis. The fish is now called Thorichthys maculipinnis.

Authors

Erik Smits
Rene Beerlink – NVC

Copyright images

Erik Smits
Rene Beerlink – NVC

Resources

Database A.V. AquaVisie
Fishbase
Malawicichlidhomepage
The cichlidroom
Kahl, W.; Atlas aquariumvissen; Uitgeversmaatschappij Tirion.