FishProfiles.com Message Forums

This fish was purchased at WalMart and was in a community tank with 2 others of the same species along with balloon mollies and guppies. Can anyone identify it for me please? Thanks so much

http://www.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=33811681/a=39434870_39434870/t_=39434870


*Mitch*

It looks like you have a young firemouth cichlid. Extensive information about this fish is available at our profile here. They're very nice critters, but unfortunately will probably not be suitable with the guppies and mollies for a very long time.

Howdy and welcome to Fish Profiles.

Last edited by sirbooks at 19-Dec-2005 18:36

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Yep, that sure looks like a lil' Firemouth !

Sponge

Last edited by sirbooks at 19-Dec-2005 18:47

Yep, he's a firemouth.

Firemouths are actually not all that agressive when kept by themselves. And even when there is a pair, they are only overly agressive while breeding. They are considered one of the calmer New World Cichlids and there shouldn't be any problem with Guppies and Mollies at that size. Whne he gets larger he may try to take a bite out of them, but not likely if they are raised together.

Thanks for your quick responses!! He's been in my 42g hex tank for about 2 weeks now along with 4 balloon mollies, 4 guppies, 2 swords, 1 platy and 3 zebra danios. When reading over the profile, it stated that this species does well with platies, mollies and swords and I can attest to that! No aggressive behaviour yet. He comes to the surface to eat and does not skitter away too much if you approach the tank. However seeing as the potential size can be over 6", I will be exceeding my tank capacity. Would you suggest I look at starting up another tank? Maybe with some Anglefish and other types of cichlids? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!


*Mitch*

You could start up another tank when the firemouth hits about 4 or so inches. I wouldn't recommend angelfish in the same tank as the Firemouth, because they ARE cichlids and will fight each other for territory. Though a pair of angelfish would be fine for your hex if/when you move the firemouth. They would appreciate the tall tank

As for a new tank. When the time comes, a standard 40 gallon or a standard 55 would be good for the firemouth. You could stock it with Tetras, cory cats, etc.. Just no other cichlids, they might fight. I would get a second opinion on this though.

And I just realized myself that I come across a lot of sources that recommend Mollies and Guppy's as dither fish for the firemouth. So they should most certainly be alright with each other.