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!
Don’t forget to visit our Aquarium Store.
I have introduced 2 juvenile Firemouth’s to my community tank, the tank is mainly all rainbow fish and all is well however the Firemouth’s themselves do not seem to be getting on. I have had Firemouths in the past with other cichlids and catfish and never had this problem before however the fish were mature when I got them.
I have identified the juvenile’s as 1 male and 1 female judging by the colouration and fin shape and the are only about an inch long. The male seems to be approaching the female constantly only to be beaten back to a hasty retreat, are they just trying to establish their own terratory and pecking order or is something more sinister going on?
Hi I have just got a young fire mouth it is. In a comunity tank with a blue gorumi a black ghost knife a clown loach and two blind cave fish the gourami is a little bit bigger than the fire mouth but it is bullying th fire mouth the fire mouth is one inch and the gourmi is a bout a quater bigger then the fir mouth and I don’t know what ro do.
give them to me
Hi, ive also just bought 2 firemouth cichlids. They are both about 1 and half inch long. The problem is that whenever someone goes near them they hide behind ornaments.
Redman, firemouths are generally shy when it comes to people and are somewhat bottom feeders as well. Typeically they aren’t too “social” when it comes to being viewed (they noramaly keep to themselves) . You may want to try an Angelfish Cichlid. They are voracious eaters, and will pace back and forth by the glass to make sure that you see them.
HI..I LOVE THESE FISH, THEY WILL HIDE OUT WHEN THEY ARE SMALL, ,BUT AS THEY GROW THEY BECOME MORE AND MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THE TANK AND THEIR MATES. I FIND THEM VERY SMART NAD LOTS OF FUN TO WATCH.
My Firemouth Cichlid is blue and the other one is orange why is this?????
Hey question I have 3 angles and 2 kribs was wondering how firemouths would go with these 2 cichlids being that the kribs have a tendency to be aggressive and are cave dwellers as well. Thanks
Hi I bought a fire mouth to try them out and found it to be a very peaceful fish so I decided to get 2 more of them but the moment I put them in the tank the existing firemouth started displaying his colours and biting at the other two does anyone know what’s goin on with them? They are all the same size about 1.5 “
i have had firemouths for a while now my firemouths are generally placid to other species but can be agressive to other firemouths. Kyle i have kribs and firemouths and about to remove the kribs they don’t go well with firemouths or angels for that matter i am supprised u have both in your tank as kribs are nortorious for fin nipping. darby if you mean blue metalic specs? if you mean blue in colour then i would guess one isn’t a firemouth, when firemouths are young there colours arn’t as strong. and females wont be as vivid as the dominant male. They are flighty but as syndi said they become use to there environment and are less flighty and even come out and feed while your watching.
Hi, maybe someone here can help me out. I have a tank with tiger barbs and 2 small firemouths. The combo between the barbs and firemouths has been working well, for the most part they just ignore one another. My problem is between my two firemouths. They are both male. One is slightly larger than the other and he is absolutely dominating the smaller one. He is constantly attacking him and forcing him into one of the top corners of the tank. I have rearranged the tank several times hoping this might do something, but no luck. I have a 20 gallon tank with two pieces of drift wood, several rocks i have made caves with, and several live plants. Is there anything I can do here?
@ Steve;
I think your problem with the firemouths are normal for the circumstances. Firemouths are VERY territorial and aggressive cichlids. I have 2 firemouths, 2 electric yellows, and 2 peacock cichlids in a 44gal tank. And I’ve noticed that the firemouths will chase all the fish from their “area”. Especially the larger firemouth. But it only occurs when the other fish swin in it’s area. So it’s not a constant thing.
I’m wondering if it’s constant with your fish because of habitat size. And possibly age of fish when you got them. Mine were very young when I got them.
My firemouth that iv had for a cupple of mounths is about 7inch and just killed my baby oscar for no reson. ;(
Guys, the 1″ per gallon rule is so vague that unfortunately many people have taken it to heart as the golden rule. It may very well apply to smaller species such as many tetras, i.e. rummynose tetra or pencil fish etc. Yet, start mixing larger south &/or central american cichlid species or multiples of same species with larger profiles and you’re bound to have continual aggression in tanks even as large as 75 gallons. The 1″ per gallon rule goes out the window, when large territories are being claimed.
The exception of course is African cichlids where over-stocking is the rule, otherwise a few cichlids will pulverize each other due to continual specific targeting and no way to diffuse the aggressor.
I’ve seen many people stock larger aquariums 50+ with far too many territorial fish. i.e. 3-4 Firemouths, a few African cichlids, perhaps a Jaguar and Convicts. The tank is going to be a continual territorial scrap match with very aggravated fish. Now, it may work but it can be trial & error that may very well lead you to returning some fish. It sounds exciting to have all these potentially aggressive fish together, yet is that something you really want? Cichlids squaring off constantly, or constant bickering over territory? Your aquarium becomes a virtual torture zone that is not pleasing to look at.
It’s so tempting to mix different species together but just bear in mind their potential maximum size (typical aquarium: not in the wild), and their territorial claims. Natural water habitat is less important these days, as most fish you find will be tank/farm raised.
After many years of keeping aquariums, what I find most pleasing is the way you’ve landscaped the aquarium (i.e. substrate choice/drift wood/rock layout/plants etc.), rather than the fish itself.
What I’ve also found is the most simplest rule to follow: consistent water changes, which will not only enhance their color and appetite, yet also promote vigorous growth rates.