Thorichthys meeki
| Common Names: | Firemouth Cichlid |
| Synonyms: | Cichlasoma hyorhynchum Cichlasoma meeki Herichthys meeki Heros meeki Thorichthys helleri meeki Thorichthys meeki |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Category: | Cichlids |
| Distribution: | America - South; Yucatan Peninsula, Central America. |
| Main Ecosystem: | River; River |
| Temperament: | Territorial; Not overly aggressive for a cichlid, but perhaps too territorial and brusque of temperament to be included into general non-cichlid community without a note of caution. Only house with fish capable of mounting a decent level of self defence. May be aggressive enough to kill smaller fish when spawning. |
| Diet: | Ominvore; Omnivore |
| Care: | A varied diet will be best for the firemouth. As juveniles you can start off by feeding a cichlid flake, baby cichlid pellets or fry crumble. As the firemouths grow the best thing to do is wean them off of flakes and get them totally on a small to medium sized high quality pellet. If these fish are trained young they will feed from the surface and this will open a lot of options as they mature. However, if they are started off on foods that sink it will be much more difficult if not impossible. |
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| Potential Size: | Male: 17cm (6.7") Female: 17cm (6.7") |
| Water Region: | Middle, Bottom; Middle-Bottom |
| Activity: | Diurnal; Diurnal |
| Gender: | The dorsal and anal fin of a male should be very pointed and start growing fin extensions from about the size of 2". As males get larger they may also develop extensions on the top and bottom of the caudal fin (tail). Females should not have any extensions on the dorsal, anal or caudal fin. |
| Breeding: | Use a pH of 7.0 and a higher temperature of 25°C. The eggs are laid on a carefully cleaned rock. Can breed several times in a year. |
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| Comments: | To defend its territory, the Firemouth Cichlid will flare its gills in the same way as the Siamese Fighting Fish. |
| Main Colours: |
| Markings: | Not Specified |
| Mouth: | Not Specified |
| Tail: | Not Specified |
| Search: | Show similar species Find compatible species |
| Image Credit: | © FishProfiles.com |
| Submitted By: | Adam |
| Contributors: | Doedogg, longhairedgit |
| History: | View changes to this profile |
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