Firemouth Cichlid
Common Names: Firemouth Cichlid, Firemouth
Scientific Name: Thorichthys Meeki
Family: Cichlid
Maximum Size: 6 inches
Life expectancy: 10 - 15 years
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Temperature Range: 70 - 80°F
pH Range: 6.7 - 7.3
Water hardness: dH 10
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Origin: Yucatan, Guatemala
Aquarium Setup:
Firemouth Cichlids like to burrow so a substrate that is very fine, such as sand works best. Hardy plants can be used in the tank, but they should be in pots to protect the roots as Firemouths like to uproot them.
You should also provide them with lots of hiding places with rocks or wood. Make sure there aren’t any sharp edges on any of the tank decorations. Firemouths will dart through the water when they get scared and can injure themselves on sharp rocks.
Diet:
These Cichlids don’t have to be fed as often as most other Cichlids, but need a diet high in proteins. Once or twice daily is plenty to keep them healthy. They like bloodworms, glassworms, algae, plankton and brine shrimp.
Larger Fire Mouth’s can be fed with krill and Cichlid pellets or flakes, although a natural diet is highly recommended . For an occasional treat you can give them live food such as small goldfish, guppies and ghost shrimp. Live foods will help develop more brilliant colors!
Tank Mates/Community:
Fire Mouth Cichlid’s are territorial fish, however if you keep the tank well populated they won’t try to claim a territory and there will be less fighting. Try to keep the other fish about the same size as the Fire Mouths.
They can be kept with large Tiger Barbs, Plecostomus, Rainbow Fish and a variety of sharks such as the red, black and rainbow. They will also do well with other Cichlids of the same size range and temperament.
Behavior:
Firemouths are very peaceful Cichlids and get along well with most tank mates. The are classified as semi-aggressive because they will become aggressive during breeding times, especially with their own species. And, will sometimes be a little aggressive towards smaller fish.
Color:
Firemouths are one of the most beautiful Cichlids with a fiery red color underneath the sides of their mouth. The vivid red begins at the base of their tails and goes all the way to their mouth almost covering their entire belly and throat.
There are some differences in colorations depending on the fishes origin. But, most normally have a bluish gray colored body with black blotches. Their fins are generally brown and have streaks of blue.
They will also have vertical light black stripes or marks that start right behind eyes. Their pelvic and anal fins usually have a black edging, while the dorsal fin will have red along the outer edge.
Breeding:
These Cichlids form monogamous pairs and develop strong family bonds. They’re very easy to breed and each spawning will result in as many as 500 eggs!
They will deposit eggs on thoroughly cleaned rocks. Eggs hatch in 3-4 days and are then taken to pits where both of the parents carefully guard them. Small overturned pots can be used to provide pits for the young fry.
Firemouths can produce several broods each year.
Interesting Notes:
Firemouth Cichlids are nervous fish that often will play dead if suddenly frightened! Any sudden movements or noises will have them swimming frantically around the aquarium.
The male will inflate his fiery throat sac and his gill covers in a very impressive display of aggression to threaten other tank members and also during breeding times. Ichthyologists have found that almost all fish are intimidated by the color red!
Firemouth Cichlids possess a few features that are found in some saltwater fish. They have a set of teeth in their throats as well as their regular teeth! And, they sense smells by sucking in water and then expelling it!
