Lets Talk Fire Mouth's

[Wingman001]

I have 5 of the little terrorists.

There awesome but very shy I have them know for about 6 months and thee growing quite well. I'm very new to them so any info is appreciated.

Would love to hear about your fire mouths, have not seen any adults fish around?

[solex69]

I simply love this cichlid. Beautiful to watch. I had two but they died unfortunately. I am yet to find adult Firemouths on sale in shops. Best best is for you to have at least six juveniles and hope to get one pair from them as they grow up.

Here are some information about them...hope it helps you



Family (http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Thorichthys&species=meeki&id=227#top)

Cichlidae. Subfamily: Cichlasomatinae


Origin (http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Thorichthys&species=meeki&id=227#top)

It's natural range covers much of the eastern parts of Mexico, Belize and Guatemala, where it occurs in several rivers including the Usumacinta and Belize. It's also been introduced into Colombia, the USA, Hawaii and Singapore. Wild fish are rare in the hobby these days, with the vast majority of the ones on sale being mass-produced in the Far East and Eastern Europe.


Habitat (http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Thorichthys&species=meeki&id=227#top)

Shows a preference for slower-moving sections of rivers and still ponds which can have substrates composed of mud, sand or rocks depending on locality. It tends to be found in areas where marginal vegetation grows thickly.


Maximum Size (http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Thorichthys&species=meeki&id=227#top)

Upto 7", though usually males to 5" and females to 4".


Minimum Tank Size (http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Thorichthys&species=meeki&id=227#top)

30"L x 15"H x 12"W (80cm x 37.5cm x 30cm) - 89 litres (For a pair).


Tank Setup (http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Thorichthys&species=meeki&id=227#top)

Provide a sand or fine gravel substrate, as Firemouths are extensive diggers. Plenty of cover is also important, in the form of wood or clay pots - the latter being especially effective if you wish to breed Firemouths.


Temperature (http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Thorichthys&species=meeki&id=227#top)

72 to 80°f (22 to 27°c)


pH Range (http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Thorichthys&species=meeki&id=227#top)

A wide range. Usually prefer slightly acidic, around 6.5


Hardness (http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Thorichthys&species=meeki&id=227#top)

Again, a wide range - from 5 to 16°dH


Diet (http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Thorichthys&species=meeki&id=227#top)

Stomach analyses of wild specimens have shown it to be primarily herbivorous, grazing on various species of algae and other plant matter. Will happily accept flake in most cases. Feed a good quality cichlid pellet or flake as staple, but offer live and frozen foods regularly to improve health, colouration and to help induce spawning. It is also important that vegetable matter is incorporated into their diet, possibly in the form of vegetable/spirulina flakes or sliced cucumber.



Compatibility (http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Thorichthys&species=meeki&id=227#top)

Not an overly aggressive cichlid, but still a cichlid nonetheless - not ideal for a community aquarium with small fish. Can be housed with similar sized, peaceful fish. May be aggressive when breeding.


Sexual Dimorphism (http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Thorichthys&species=meeki&id=227#top)

Male's dorsal and anal fins are pointed (though it is possible for a female to have pointed fins too - rounded fins definitely indicate a female, however), more colouration on fins.


Breeding (http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Thorichthys&species=meeki&id=227#top)

Firemouths will pair up then breed quite easily. Upto 500 eggs can be laid on a pre-cleaned surface in a single spawn. Fry will become free swimming in about a week. Firemouths exhibit excellent parental care, well past hatching. A healthy pair can have upto 5 broods in a year.


Notes (http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Thorichthys&species=meeki&id=227#top)

Firemouths are very common in the trade and for good reason. They are a hardy cichlid, with some utterly stunning colouration.

They are easy to look after, easy to breed and relatively compatible - certain reports saying they are ok in a community (not advised however, be careful).

Partially due to the vast variety of regions in which they can occur, Thorichthys meekiare happy in a number of conditions in the aquarium. Flow can vary from still to fast and the Firemouth will be equally happy. Once Thorichthys meekiis settled in, it is a very hardy fish. For these reasons, the Firemouth is recommended as a good fish for any beginner hobbyist that wants to keep attractive cichlids.

With an adequate amount of research, this fish can be kept easily and can return excellent results in the form of stunning colouration, interesting behaviour and a relative ease of breeding.

[Wingman001]

Wow, I knew they where cool, but this is great information.
Thanks. Had six one died, Do you think it nessasary to replace it?

[solex69]

I would replace it if I were you, or maybe push the gang up to 8 in total

D

[Wingman001]

8 Cool any particular reason? would they work with convicts?

[solex69]

Yeah, the more you have, the better your chances of getting a breeding pair out of them.

I had a breeding pair of convicts and I think they must be kept in a tank on their own. They terrorize any fish once they are in breeding mode. Only fish that can hold their own against convicts should be considered as tank mates. Convicts are known to go up against the toughest of fish and even win. Also becareful of convicts....they are the rabbits of the fish world as far as breeding is concerned. That's why I gave my breeding pair away to another user

[Wingman001]

Ok, maybe not a good idea then! Any other tank mates that might work?

Must say I would like to bread them a few times!

[solex69]

Personally, I wouldn't give them tank mates. I think firemouths on their own just look awesome. But yah, that's just my personal preference. I've given bulk of my fish away because I'm tired of the 'liquorice all-sorts' tanks. I am now in the phase whereby I would like to keep a single species of fish per tank. Maybe two, but none more than that. I think it just looks better

If you wanna put fish with them, go for biggish fish ie, Golden Gouramis, Loaches, Angels, etc. Avoid little tetras, guppies, swords, platies, etc etc

Oh yes, one fish I would advise you to NEVER get is a normal chinese algae eater....they don't eat algae and are agressive

[Wingman001]

I agree, a tank to a type. Unless your my wife who likes everything.
The only problem is that my five tanks are taking up the lounge and the kitchen and my eyes are way to big for my tanks and pocket, heheh

[solex69]

I've seen tanks setup everywhere in a house before ... I shalt not mention names :)

[2time]

the same goes for me but only its my mother who likes everything

[Wingman001]

hahah, what fish do you have?

[JaguarCichlid]

Jaguar Cichlids will put the Convicts in their place.....
really aggressive guys.....

[solex69]

Jaguar Cichlids will put the Convicts in their place.....
really aggressive guys.....

Agreed. What I read up on these monsters, I don't think they are to be f***ed with :)

[2time]

lets just say lots of different kinds
guppys, mollies, bettas gouramis, corys tetras and in the big tank she had to have a angel fish most of the fish i want i cant have because the tank is already full

[Zafgak]

Solex - I hope you do not refer to !!!! better not say hey - I say the more tanks the better - Wingman if you HAVETO get rid of the tanks I could possibly squeeze a few into the bathrooms and toilets :deal:

[veegal]

I've seen tanks setup everywhere in a house before ... I shalt not mention names :)

Ummm.....dunno who you may be referring to.....:dontknow: :rofl:


Wingman if you HAVETO get rid of the tanks I could possibly squeeze a few into the bathrooms and toilets :deal:

Ummmm......okay, I'm drawing the line at that option :eek:

[solex69]

MTS....it's a disease, not a snail :)

Perhaps a coldwater mini-tank in the bathroom or toilet meneer?

[veegal]

MTS....it's a disease, not a snail :)

Perhaps a coldwater mini-tank in the bathroom or toilet meneer?

Don't give him ideas Dale - he's addicted enough to try it :blink1::bigsmile:

[Wingman001]

hahah, I think a tank mounted in the bathroom wall would work.
but I think if i spend any more time on the jazz,It might be a problem!

Then there is the after affects don't think may living creatures would survive that.

[veegal]

Then there is the after affects don't think may living creatures would survive that.

:rofl: brilliant - fish don't do well with toxic fumes :rofl:

[Wingman001]

haha hahaha

[AjayH]

Good day guys, i have a malawi tank but i like and always wanted to get firemouths but im not sure if they would be fine sharing the same tank, do you think its fine if i introduce about 4 firemouths to my malawi tank. Thanks

[Sean J]

Good day guys, i have a malawi tank but i like and always wanted to get firemouths but im not sure if they would be fine sharing the same tank, do you think its fine if i introduce about 4 firemouths to my malawi tank. Thanks

While they would probably survive, they come from 2 completely different places on earth, thus their water requirements are different. They would probably survive, but they wouldn't be happy.

[AjayH]

Thanx Slagter, guess thats motivation to start building a 2nd tank then lol.

[Wingman001]

I have a similar, tank setup, the fire mouths do well and seem a to take the punishment every now and then. I would recommend that you monitor the situation.

[Gregorian]

Hi Solex. Don't know how old this thread is, but here goes. I have 3 small (35-40mm) Fire Mouths in a 60cm tank. 1 male and 2 females. As I do a lot of traveling I want to put them in my community tank. Most but not all fish are the same size as the FM, but there is always some platty fries that appears. Lots of hiding places and plants as well. Can I put them in my community tank and will they be a problem? How fast do they grow?