Firemouth Cichlid

Called Thorichthys meeki by its scientific name, it’s a pretty popular aquarium cichlid and originates from Central America like the Tucatan Peninsula, Guatemala and Mexico. In the aquarium is better if kept alone or with other similar species and similar size fish. It’s unpretentious and will eat most available foods, same for water quality but it will need around 25 degrees Celsius in water temperature. In the wild they can be found in calm waters with sunny areas but also lots of shadow. In the aquarium they will prefer the middle section but also the bottom. They are medium in size among aquarium fish, reaching up to 15 centimeters. They have an elongated and relatively high body, with a more curved back compared with its abdomen. The head is large and pointed. Their fins are impressive with pointed anal and dorsal fins and a slightly concave tail. Their pectoral fins are big and shaped like a sickle. Males are bigger then females.

Their basic color is a violet-gray, with a brownish back with scales that have a dark outline, the lower side of the body along the anal fin start will be a bright red. It also haves blue and green dots on its head, with a blue to gray mouth and the iris are gray-green with a goldy outline that can be even more visible when it tries to intimidate an enemy. On the side of the body it will have a longitudinal stripe, 7-8 transverse stripes that can be more or less intensely colored. In the middle of the body it will have a black spot surrounded by small yellow dots, another, more larger black spot is located at the base of the tale. Both spots will be visible all the time. Their fins are purple to reddish-brown with a red dorsal fin.

Sexual dimorphism: the male Firemouth Cichlid is larger and intensely colored compared with the females; also their dorsal and anal fins are pointed at the top. At the time of spawning the female can develop an intense body color, even more colorful than the male. Firemouth Cichlid is a fairly peaceful fish if kept with other Chiclids or fish similar in size. It will not attack plants but better to be preventive and have them heavily routed in the sand. The optimal water temperature must be from 24 to 26 degrees Celsius, with 28 degrees when spawning. When spawning the pair will search for a good place and will start cleaning and protecting it. This place can be a rock, or flower pot or even a root. In this period the male can turn in black. They’ll be caring parents and will look up for the eggs and fry. The number of eggs will be around 200 to 300.