since 15 days back my 2 molly fish had given birth to their 40 fry, but 5 out of them being eaten by fire mouth cichlid, then i separated the molly fry in other aquarium, but after 2 day i found my female molly death (which i left in same tank along with cichlid and gauramies). The firemouth cichlid fish has a bright red coloring that makes it popular in the ornamental … 9 Types of Goldfish You Never Knew You Needed, 7 Top Rated Reef Tanks for your next Tropical Environment, Unique Types of Cichlids for Every Aquarist, Choosing the Perfect Liner for your Pond & Water Garden, Natural pH Control in a Freshwater Aquarium: a Practical Beginners Guide, LED Aquarium Lighting: 11 Great Fixtures for Freshwater, Planted and Reef Tanks. Therefore, it is a good idea to keep a group of such fish in a single tank because they get along with each other well. However you can encourage them to spawn by altering the water parameters. Rocks can be used as well. To add color for starts you could quadruple the amount of neon's, they are awesome in large schools! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Firemouth Cichlid Appearance And Behavior, Firemouth Cichlid Tank And Water Requirements, Breeding And Life Spans Of Firemouth Cichlid, The Ideal Size Requirements For Your Betta Fish Tank, How To Clean A Fish Tank – Complete Guide, How To Safely And Naturally Lower The pH Of Your Aquarium, The Damselfish Is The Omnivorous Fish You Need To Raise Now, Best Filters for Turtle Tanks 2021 – Top 10 Ultimate Reviews, Otocinclus Catfish- The Easiest Cleaner Fish You Can Raise, The Ultimate Guide To Setup And Maintaining Your Turtle Tank. Therefore, you should avoid keeping snails or small shrimp as tank mates, because your Firemouth Cichlids may view them as potential sources of food. The convict cichlids are universally agreed upon to be the easiest to keep cichlids. pH should be between 6.5 and 8.0. Their habitat is usually shallow, slow-moving, often turbid, water with a pH of 6.5-8.0. Consider our ultimate guide to the Firemouth Cichlid to help you get started in raising this gorgeous fish. Keeping the Firemouth with other Firemouth and similar Cichlids is a better option for tank aggression planning. Besides increasing the gallon size, you’ll also need to invest in the equipment below. Only males will develop the bright red hues for which this famous, and they will only do this during spawning season. These cichlids inhabit slow-moving rivers that are warm nearly year-round. Either way, this is a serious commitment to make. The Firemouth Cichlid requires a tank of a minimum of 30 gallons, with a fine sand bottom for burrowing and plenty of open swimming room. This fish is known for being peaceful, but that doesn’t mean that it can be housed with any old species of fish. Firemouth Cichlid Stats Minimum Tank Size: 29 Gallons (110 Liters) Care Level: Moderately Hard Water Conditions: 6.5-8.5 pH and Soft to Very Hard Temperature: 68-89 °F (20-32 °C) Maximum Size: 6 inches (15 centimeters) The firemouth cichlid (Thorichthys meeki) has a long history in the aquarium trade, and has been kept by aquarists for well over a century now. Easy to clean and easy to care for, these gorgeous fish will offer a lovely pop of color to an otherwise dull fish tank. Use a sand substrate. Both the male and female will rear and care for their fry before and after hatching. The Firemouth is territorial and will display its bright red gill covers to frighten other fish off. Compatible tank mates for community aquariums include: Firemouth cichlids can be housed with other of their species, but there should be ample room for each to have his own generous territory. There are so many options for you, I hope for the fish you already have … … They occur in Yucatan Peninsula rivers, Mexico, south through Belize and north into Guatemala. From the bottom of their mouth to their upper stomach, they are a bright red that verges on orange for some fish. Firemouth Cichlids, like other cichlids, are inqie in that they breed monogamously. The firemouth cichlid is a peaceful species and can be a good companion, but there may be aggressiveness if there are different fish sizes in the same tank. Firemouth Cichlids demonstrate some-what aggressive territorial behavior especially during spawning and will harass smaller tank mates of their own species. The Firemouth Cichlid is a monogamous, semi-aggressive fish. Salinity should be about ten percent of that which is normal in a saltwater or seawater tank. Then put it back in for more cover. For more information, please check our, their hardiness has become both a boon and a curse, Readying Your Tank for Firemouth Cichlids, it’s best to purchase a male-female pair at the same time, If you decide to transition your cichlid to a live diet, monitor their behavior carefully, 12 Colorful Freshwater Fish to Enhance Your Aquarium, Chili Rasbora: A Flash of Color in Your Nano Tank, Water Wisteria: the Propagation Superstar, Installing a Protein Skimmer: Tips & Mistakes to Avoid. The Firemouth Cichlid is often referred to as being a ray-finned fish. You rtank should be about 30 gallons in volume, but remember that  a large tank is always best if you plan on keeping other fish, or if you want to keep multiple Firemouth Cichlids. One unique feature of the Firemouth Cichlid is that it is monogamous. There are more cost-effective brands on the market as well as more expansive products. But they do get territorial at times. Don't ever put any cichlid in w/ the fish you have in you tank! What do you need to make the firemouth cichlid feel at home? You might also want to consider putting your plants so that they cannot be uprooted and have their fragile root systems damaged. Although cichlids are known to be somewhat territorial (and the Firemouth Cichlid is no exception), you’ll likely find that this fish is enjoyable and simple to raise. Therefore, you will need to be mindful of the size and weight of the items you are placing in your tank. This will keep the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates as close to 0 ppm as possible. But with the right attention to detail and care, they can be just as rewarding as any other fish. Firemouth cichlids can handle a fairly broad range of water hardness but are more specific with regard to temperature and pH. Females are generally better at hiding and avoiding fish. They are quite territorial and will go lengths to protect what they believe is theirs. Firemouth Cichlids are excellent fish for beginning aquarium hobbyists. To acquire a compatible pair, place a group of young fish in a tank and allow them to pair up. Sometimes, they will also have bars that run along the side of their bodies, and these are also usually dark in color. Firemouth Cichlid Tropical Fish Learn all about the Firemouth Cichlid's feeding habits and food types, its behaviour, its origins, its natural habitats, is it male or female, breeding advice and information, suitable tank mates, its sizing and growth range, minimum tank size, water PH and more. The Firemouth Cichlid, known scientifically as Thorichthys meeki, belongs to the Cichlidae family and is found in the wild in the rivers of Central America. The Firemouth Cichlid can be extremely hardy and will tolerate a wide range of water parameters. It’s actually pretty simple. Now, as beautiful as Firemouths are, they are well-known for having an aggressive and tough temperament! Firemouth Cichlids are peaceful ninety percent of the time, but will become aggressive when they are spawning. However, 30 gallons is still very manageable no matter how much space you have available in your home. Residing in cave systems has also been reported. Once the eggs have been laid and fertilized, the parents will guard the eggs until they hatch into fry. Family: Cichlidae. You can make a basic flake or pellet food the center of your Firemouth Cichlid’ diet, and then add occasional live or frozen foods as treats. Firemouth Cichlids are not schooling fish, and are actually far from being social creatures. When they are ready to do so, your Firemouth Cichlids will lay their eggs on a clean, solid surface. You should clean any new additions to the tank thoroughly, ideally quarantining them for a few days to make sure no new diseases will be transmitted to your tank. Provide your Firemouth Cichlid with suitable companions, offer a nutritious diet, and check the water parameters on a regular basis. Feed them high-quality foods like microworms in the early days. You’ll also need both a female and male firemouth cichlid (duh, right?) water chemistry needs. They are even found in portions of the United States and Puerto Rico, frequently discovered in places like Florida, Hawaii, and Arizona. Obviously, they are great adapters but try to maintain them at recommended water parameters (see below). This fish is very hardy, both in the wild and in the commercial trade. This is the perfect fish to make your aquarium livelier. Because of this, these cichlids have time to raise several broods throughout the year. You can use decorations, plants, wood, or rocky. Though they may live near other firemouth cichlids, they are not schooling fish. This will leave lots of space for swimming and will also make it less likely for your plants to become uprooted as they are in the way of your Firemouth Cichlids. It has also been reported to live in cave systems. One of the most common issues is ich, which causes white spots on the fins and gills of these fish. Remember to always ask a veterinarian for help regarding all of your pets. With these in place, the firemouth cichlid will be less aggressive and more focused on engaging in natural behaviors. Firemouth Cichlid Information: The Thorichthys meeki, or Firemouth cichlid, is one the most popular cichlid in the aquarium trade. The water is moderately hard. Now, this isn’t in extremes, as much as Convict Cichlids, but they are still aggressive. Firemouth cichlid is a very hardy fish but sometimes it is susceptible to ich, skin flukes, fungal, bacterial infections and other parasitic infestations. Firemouth Cichlid These attractive and fascinating fish are a strong contender for the best tank mate to keep with convict cichlids. But under the right circumstances, the firemouth cichlid can actually be a peaceful community fish. The female can spawn as much as 100-500 eggs and they are easy to breed. Female cichlids will clean the flat rocks and lay anywhere from 100 to 500 eggs on them. In addition, all Firemouth Cichlids have black marks on the lower half of their operculums. If the cichlid is hungry he will eat them, if he's not hungry he'll kill them for sport. As long as you keep your aquarium within these ranges, your firemouth cichlid will thrive. Tank Mate … Firemouth Cichlids will spend much of their time hiding among the plants.they enjoy moving and rearrange plants and other decorations. By far, the hardest cichlids to companion are African cichlids like haps, peacocks, and mbunas, and Central American species such as Jack Dempsey, convicts, wolf, and Firemouth cichlids. You should provide a diet for your fish that is nutritionally varied and contains plenty of sources of protein. Convict Cichlid. Provide fine gravel or sand in the aquarium because firemouth cichlids do like to di… Use our fish community creator tool to plan your tank set up and ensure that the Firemouth Cichlid is the right fish for your … The most colorful fish , for example, are found in Tabasco, Mexico, where the environment dictates the color and vibrancy of these efish. Long or tall tanks will work with firemouth cichlids, but they do better by far in long tanks. That being said, you should always remember to keep fish that are roughly the same size as the cichlids to avoid any imbalances when these fish fight. A Firemouth Cichlid tank should be warm, with temperatures averaging between 75 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Recommended water hardness (dGH): 4 - 30°N (71.43 - 535.71ppm) 0°C 32°F 30°C 86°F. Firemouth cichlids are especially enjoyable to keep because of their beautiful coloring and exciting behaviors. The fire mouth cichlid needs to be housed in a large tank with plenty of space to swim and hide. In the wild, most male Firemouth Cichlids live by themselves, maintaining and defending their own territories at all costs. But they are a great fish for community tanks … Once you have the right equipment and are sure the gallon size is correct, it’s all about how to set up the environment. This will allow it to carve out its own exclusive territory. If … A Silent & Reliable Canister Filter: Which Brand to Trust? Larger or aggressive fish may be subject to outright threat displays, or may conversely attack the firemouth cichlid. Larger tanks will allow them to carve out specific territories, which will, in turn, reduce stress and lead to more peaceful behavior. In order to view this spawning and parenting behavior, you’ll need to have sand and flat rocks in your aquarium. Lifespan of Firemouth Cichlid Highly recommended for beginner aquarists, the Firemouth Cichlid is a peaceful freshwater species that will keep you enthralled with its amusing behavior, primary among which is its ability to play “bluffs” to intimidate its own kind. There is debate within the aquarium community whether feeding cichlids live foods causes more aggression. Firemouth Cichlids are interesting in that, despite being freshwater species, they can tolerate water conditions that are somewhat brackish. Water must be cleaned regularly- try to conduct regular water changes at least once a week or every other week. Firemouth Cichlids are exceptionally easy to care for, and generally are not prone to any diseases that do not afflict other freshwater fish species. However, 8 – 10 years is a more common lifespan. Instead, they will carve out specific territories. Parasites and bacterial or fungal diseases are the most common issues to befall Firemouth Cichlids. They occur in rivers of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, south through Belize and into northern Guatemala. It’s fun to watch Firemouth Cichlids in the tank, as they will spend a good amount of time sorting through the substrate in search of food. Tank Decoration for Firemouth cichlids - I used driftwood, sand for tank bottom, 3 pots to provide cover for less dominant fish. Though firemouth cichlids are extremely dedicated to their offspring, the fry become independent of their parents within weeks of hatching. A 50-gallon water tank is good for keeping a group of cichlids. Due in part to human error in releasing this fish into the wild, the Firemouth Cichlid has taken over in many locations besides its native habitat. They will spend most of their time swimming in the mid- or lower-sections of the river, hiding the vegetation located lose to the shore. Firemouth Cichlids don’t care much about the lighting conditions you provide in your tank. Plants should be hardy, like Sagittaria, and potted with their root surfaces protected. The parents may dig several different pits and periodically move the fry until they mature. These fish are ideal for a community aquarium, but you need to make a special effort to make sure that they are housed with fish of a similar size. Most commonly found in Guatemala, Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula, and Mexico, they prefer rivers that move slowly with a weak current, as well as those that have sandy or muddy river beds. Their semi-aggressive temperament and special environmental needs can cause some tank owners to hesitate. The main problems with a breeding project involves acquiring a breeding pair as aggression will be shown by more than one male housed in the same aquarium. Jack Dempsey. Also they can be bred in a large community tank of 48 inches and bigger with other fish. You will have to keep a couple of things in mind. The Firemouth Cichlid is often recommended as a great first cichlid for beginners to cichlid keeping. They will also try to dislodge your substrate. Firemouth cichlid also known as Thorichthys meeki is a native Central American species of cichlid fish. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Males can suffer from harassment from larger and more aggressive tank mates while females are quite good at finding protection under th… Like the betta fish it intimidates the opponent. With vivid red along their bottom of their bodies and a pearlescent turquoise covering the rest, these fish are certainly showstoppers. Btw don't listen to the gay fish clerks at pet smart … Because adult cichlids are so protective of their young – a rare situation to behold in the fishkeeping world – there is little you need to do to care for the young fry. Luckily, ich is very easy to treat. This can quickly become an overstocking issue, so make sure any spawning that takes place is intentional on your part. Looking for an exciting new addition to your freshwater aquarium? Some common meals are: These fish will accept frozen, live, and freeze-dried foods. During this season, they may become aggressive towards other fish and potentially kill any fish invading their territory. The Firemouth cichlid originates from the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico where it can be found in shallow sandy shores along slow-moving rivers where driftwood and rocks are plentiful. This will help prevent your fish from becoming sick due to a decline in water quality or due to conditions that differ too drastically from their native environment. All fins (except the pectoral fin) will have a red edge and blue spots. Common surfaces include large leaves, the glass of the tank, a flat rok, or even driftwood. There is good filtration, the temp is about 77 and the ph is about 7.0. This fish is easy to care for. In this case, 25-30 % water change should be done on weekly basis. Now considered an invasive species in many parts of North America, the fish is found in  many parts of the world where it has been introduced. Recommended pH range for the species: 6.6 - 8.5. The Firemouth Cichlid requires a tank of a minimum of 30 gallons, with a fine sand bottom for burrowing and plenty of open swimming room. In North America, firemouth cichlids have been considered an invasive species due to the damaging ecological impacts they have on native fish and fauna populations. The firemouth cichlid (Thorichthys meeki) is a species of cichlid fish native to Central America. Plants should be hardy, like Sagittaria, and potted with their root surfaces protected. Additionally, males have more sharply pointed dorsal and anal fins, though this can be a less distinctive trait. Females will lay up to 500 eggs before the male comes along to fertilize them. Just keep an eye on your fish and if necessary, think about removing the threatened fish from the tank during spawning. Whenever cichlids fight they will lock lips so just take one out and maybe re-arrange the tank. There are several fish in this class of ray-finned fish, but what they all have in common is that their fins will consist of a web of skins surrounded by rays or spines. But no matter how much you spend, how the equipment performs in the most important aspect to consider. Temperament … While a single Firemouth Cichlid can be housed in 15 gallons, you need to drastically increase the volume of water when you add additional fish. Parents will devote a lot of time to tending to their fry, which is very unusual in the fish world. A hardy and resilient fish, it is peaceful under most circumstances – although the Firemouth Cichlid is known for being aggressive when it feels its territory is being encroached upon. If they weren’t enough, they g… It is therefore recommended to keep Firemouth Cichlids that are similar in size to minimize potential aggression. First, these fish will become aggressive towards other fish that might try to invade their territory, especially during the spawning season. When setting up your Firemouth Cichlid tank,t ry to mimic this fish’s natural environment to the greatest extent possible. The Firemouth Cichlid can be territorial when it is stressed – in truth, this fish is not the best at handling any kind of stressors or rapid change. There should also be rocks available, as they like to hide among the rocks and roots. Ich, like most other freshwater diseases, is easier to prevent than it is to cure. In the wild, these fish usually eat foods like small invertebrates, mollusks, detritus, and small crustaceans. Fry can be fed newly-hatched brine shrimp, infusoria, finely crushed flakes, and powdered pellets. Raise the temperature of the breeding tank to 82F. They are peaceful fish except when spawning. When it gets bigger then the rest (I suggest that it should be one of the smallest even full grown). As fish with a tropical distribution, firemouth cichlids live in warm … The easiest way to do this is to raise the pH to 7.0 and allow temperatures to remain between 75 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit. They are renowned for their stunning visual appearance, unique behaviors and fun personalities.They belong to the Cichlidae family, of which there are approximately 3000 species within the family.Cichlids body types range from the tiny Neolamprologus multifasciatus, which are less than an inch long, to the Giant cichlid, which can grow to o… That being said, this fish is generally native to the shallow, cloudy waters of Central America. Usual size in fish tanks: 12 - 15 cm (4.72 - 5.91 inch) 0 14. This new world cichlid needs at least 30 gallons. They are hardy and usually peaceful. This behavior is exacerbated during the spawning season. Instead, they will carve out specific territories. You can purchase Firemouth Cichlids in paris that are already matched, or you can encourage them to pair off on their own by buying six or more cichlids at a time. If this is the desired result, it’s best to purchase a male-female pair at the same time, rather than introducing them at separate times. Carefully read reviews and, if possible, watch product demos. In tanks firemouths cichlid max size is about 6 inches or 15 cm (males) while in the wild it is a bit smaller. They are active fish that can provide entertainment for hours, especially during spawning season. Although they can be a bit territorial, particularly when they are breeding, they are hardy fish that will live for several years inside your freshwater aquarium. Firemouth cichlid (Thorichthys meeki) is a freshwater breed in the Cichlidae family that is native to Central America and South America. It’s easier to sex these fish since females are less brightly colored and have a blunt genital papilla. You should generally give them moderate amounts of light. Cichlids like to uproot and play with plants, so durable, resilient plants like Sagittaria are best. These aren’t nano fish, so they need a little bit of room to swim. Fishtankadvisor.com does not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion. Firemouth Cichlids are the ideal fish in a community aquarium with tank mates of a similar size. Despite this behavior, the fire-engine red fish is a great choice for beginning fish keepers, as it requires very little special attention or care. Prime by feeding the pair live foods several times a day. Easy to care for and absolutely gorgeous in cooration, this fish is a hardy, peaceful cichlid species that can add a new flair to your fish tank. Without a doubt Cichlids are by far one of the most popular types of freshwater fish. Males offer magnificent display during spawning or as acts of territorial behavior. Though beneficial for hobbyists, this has proven to be problematic elsewhere. When kept in the proper conditions and given room to grow, Firemouth Cichlids can live for up to fifteen years on average. Males will grow to about six inches in size, while females are usually about four or five inches. However, keep in mind that not all Firemouth Cichlids will display the same vibrant coloration. Where the species comes from: Central America. Though they may live near other firemouth cichlids, they are not schooling fish. Recommended temperature: 24 - 28 °C (75.2 - 82.4°F) The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning. All of their fins have spots in a remarkable turquoise. These fish are bluish gray with black tints, their underside is bright red and their fins are brown with blue tints. If you are keeping multiple Firemouth Cichlids, you should keep them in a tank of about 30 gallons at a minimum. Sometimes they will also swim to the rocks or sunken wood that produce large caves. Owning a firemouth cichlid may be more difficult, but it is certainly a rewarding experience. If you have more questions about your aquarium please The water must be kept clean at all times with no build-up of ammonia or other nitrogen compounds like nitrates and nitrites. They have an exciting personality which makes them fun to watch. Firemouth cichlids and convicts share similar temperaments, meaning both are more than capable of standing up to each other, but usually without the aggression getting out of hand. Not sure where to start? Their natural habitat is typically shallow, slow-moving, often turbid, water with a pH of 6.5 - 8.0. They are omnivores that can be rather dangerous to other fish if the aquarium is not big enough during breeding season. Like many (or rather, most) cichlids, the firemouth cichlid can be semi-aggressive and tends to become territorial. Common name: Firemouth cichlid. Fishtankadvisor.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Raise the group of six in the community tank. You should try to maintain a water hardness rating between 8 and 15 dGH, and there should be minimal to moderate current inside your tank. The Firemouth Cichlid is named for its bright red color patterns. They are excellent parents to young fry, which is a characteristic that you won’t find in many other species of fish. Social behavior: A relatively peaceful cichlid that can be kept in a community tank with other cichlids and even smaller fish. Remove the most obvious “couple” to the breeding tank. Water hardness should be maintained at around 10 dGH. 2. Firemouth Cichlids are relatively easy to breed, requiring no specific water conditions in order to do so. A Firemouth Cichlid tank should be warm, with temperatures averaging between 75 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Females Firemouth Cichlids, on the other hand, will have bellies that are more proud and well-rounded. Depending on where a Firemouth Cichlid lives, it can have different colorations. What’s more important than salinity is that your fish have access to a good method of filtration in het ank. They are a substrate spawner and both parents will show parental care to the brood. Combined with a fast growth rate, trophic opportunism, and easy adaptation, their hardiness has become both a boon and a curse. There is red edging along their dorsal fins, while the pelvic and anal fins are edged in black. When growing plants in your tank, consider playing them round the outer edges of the tank. All members of this species will have bodies and heads that are grey, blue, or olive-colored (or any combination of these three). To minimize aggressive behaviors, meet these basic needs and preferences below: Though some of these tips may seem obvious, it’s always better to be more cautious. Because Firemouth Cichlids can tolerate high water temperatures, you can safely raise the temperature of the tank to help kill off ich in the water. 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To raise the temperature of the size and weight of the items you are keeping multiple firemouth cichlids will the! Are by far one of the tank least 30 gallons in an tank! Tends to become territorial nor the smallest even full grown ) Cichlidae family that is varied! From larger, more aggressive companions plants and other decorations or others if in. Dedicated to their fry, which is normal in a large tank with plenty of sources of protein cichlids. Watch product demos naturally hardy a native Central American species of cichlid....