Golden Firemouth Cichlid
Thorichthys aureus
Splendid Central American cichlid (15 cm), golden cousin of the famous 'Firemouth'. Exhibits an iridescent yellow-gold body and a theatrical but good-natured temperament. Lays non-adhesive loose eggs.
Température de l’eau
24 - 28 °C
Valeur du pH
7 - 8
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Milieu
Taille adulte
15 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 180 L
Groupe minimal
>= 1
GH
8 - 20 dGH
KH
4 - 10 dKH
TDS
160 - 400 ppm
Conductivité
250 - 625 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Coming from the dense Atlantic forests, placid bodies of water, slow streams and lagoons of Guatemala, Honduras and Belize. They love to hole up and rummage among banks of submerged branches and loose and detrital substrates mixed with mud.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Showy member of the Thorichthys genus. Has a profile identical to its cousin T. meeki (Firemouth): corpulent, high, slightly oval silhouette, with a long tapered and pendent snout perfect for digging. Long and pointed fins, adult males touch 15 cm (6 inches).
Social Behavior: Masters of bluff and fake aggression. Extremely territorial in posing, but poor in real lethality. Faced with rivals, they stage prolonged duels: they inflate their gill membranes to look huge and show bright colors and charge each other frontally with wide open mouths for long minutes without inflicting real wounds, wearing out the opponent. Outside the territory they are harmless sand sifters.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Enchanting. Unlike the meeki, the body color takes on golden and iridescent gold-green hues. The scales reflect a dazzling neon light blue, extended to the wonderful fins and cheeks. The belly remains yellow or becomes weakly red. On the side and on the gill covers they have two huge black ocellated spots. Males with very extensive filaments on the final fins.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Demands an aquarium (min. 120 cm / 48 inches) designed to allow its uninterrupted digging. Bottom strictly of medium fine sand or rounded inert quartz, not sharp gravel. Form an intricate lattice of woods and large stones firmly planted to the bottom glass. Tender plants uprooted on principle, rely on Anubias and Ferns tied securely to the furnishings.
Diet and Feeding: Benthic ravenous omnivore. Literally siphons the ground expelling fine particles. Adapts excellently to large sinking cichlid pellets. Important to offer plant components (Spirulina) and meat (mysis, bloodworms) frequently to keep the golden tone of the coat high.
Water Quality: Central American cichlid, therefore demands alkaline and hard water. Absolutely intolerant to amber demineralized water. pH range 7.0-8.0; high hardnesses (GH 8-20). Constant tropical temperature of 24-28°C (75-82°F). They tolerate organic pollution worse than their very robust cousins (Convict Cichlid).
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Excellent choice for robust medium-sized tanks (Central-South America). Excellent with schools of fast livebearers (Swordtails, Mollies) that swim high or with placid catfish (Pimelodus, loricariids). Must be paired exclusively with docile cichlids. Highly inadvisable with large aggressive predatory 'guapote' that would tear its mere defensive theatrical attitude to shreds.
Aquarium Breeding: Fascinating spectacle and very easy reproduction in a cavity dug among roots. Unique peculiarity of Thorichthys: the eggs laid in rocky crevices ARE NOT ADHESIVE (or weakly so), mobile piles are formed fanned in turn with diabolical ardor by the parents. Clouds of ravenous fry are heroically defended with bites and gill inflations in an unapproachable radius for the rest of the tank.
Risks and Diseases: Lethal exposure to waters that are too sweet/soft or acidic (which trigger rapid dropsy, holes in the head or ulcerative diseases at the base of the fins). Harmful ingestions in sharp gravel.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Coming from the dense Atlantic forests, placid bodies of water, slow streams and lagoons of Guatemala, Honduras and Belize. They love to hole up and rummage among banks of submerged branches and loose and detrital substrates mixed with mud.
Origine
Océans tropicaux et récifsAmérique centrale et Caraïbes
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Semi-aggressive
- They are strikingly beautiful fish with a generally moderate and manageable temperament. While they will fiercely defend their chosen territory, their aggression is usually limited to posturing rather than physical violence. They are an excellent choice for a colorful and interactive cichlid.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- They are omnivorous and not fussy eaters, accepting a wide variety of foods in the aquarium. A high-quality cichlid pellet should form the base of their diet. This should be supplemented with live or frozen meaty foods to maintain their brilliant coloration.
- Espérance de vie
- 5-8 years
- Taille adulte
- 15 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Pair
- Males grow significantly larger, develop longer fin extensions, and display more vibrant colors than females. It is best to purchase a group of juveniles and let a natural pair form as they mature. A single pair is highly recommended for most standard-sized aquariums.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- Adult Golden cichlids should be fed once or twice a day with an amount they can consume within a few minutes. Juveniles require more frequent feedings, up to three times a day, to support their rapid growth. They will actively sift through the substrate looking for leftover morsels.
- Charge biologique
- Medium to High
- The Golden cichlid produces a moderate bioload typical of medium-sized Central American cichlids. They require a robust filtration system to handle their waste and maintain high water quality. Consistent weekly water changes are necessary to keep nitrate levels low and prevent spikes.
- Courant
- Stagnant
- They appreciate a moderate water flow that mimics the slow to medium-flowing rivers of their native habitat. The filtration should provide adequate turnover and oxygenation without creating a turbulent environment. They enjoy swimming in areas with a gentle current.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- They present a low to moderate jump risk in the home aquarium. While they are not known as chronic jumpers, they may leap if startled by sudden movements or aggressive tank mates. A secure aquarium lid is recommended to prevent any accidental escapes.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- They are biparental substrate spawners that are relatively easy to breed in captivity. A flat, smooth rock or a secluded cave is usually chosen as the spawning site. Both parents are fiercely protective of the eggs and the resulting fry, chasing away any intruders.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Peaceful
- They are relatively peaceful for Central American cichlids but can still hold their own in a community of similarly sized fish. Good tank mates include livebearers, larger tetras, and other peaceful to semi-aggressive cichlids. During breeding, their aggression will increase significantly.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Middle
- They primarily inhabit the mid to lower levels of the aquarium. They are avid substrate sifters, often taking mouthfuls of sand and expelling it through their gills to find hidden food. Providing a fine, soft sand substrate is crucial to allow this natural behavior.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 3,3 ± 0,4 se
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.502
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.02188, b = 3.05
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
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