(Please note that the fish shown in the photo is only a representative of what an adult specimen would look like. The color may vary based on the age and sex of the fish you receive.)
Scientific Name: Thorichthys meeki
Common Name: Firemouth, Firemouth Cichlid
Adult Size: 6 inches
Life Expectancy: 8+ years
Habitat: Central America; Mexico, Yucatan
Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
Ideal Tank Conditions:
- Temperature Range: 75 - 82°F
- pH Range: 7.0 - 8.0
- Water Hardness: 5 - 15
Temperament: Mildly aggressive; may get aggressive when they form pairs and are breeding.
Diet & Nutrition: Omnivore; in the wild, they feed on a variety of small invertebrates, insects, and plant matter. In captivity, provide a balanced diet with high-quality pellets, flakes, and occasional live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and small invertebrates.
Breeding & Spawning: A good first cichlid to breed, as a conditioned pair will soon spawn. The best way to get a compatible pair is to raise six or more juveniles together in a large tank. They make excellent parents and defend their fry vigorously.
Gender: Males generally have longer fins and deeper red coloration.