Juvenile
Photo taken at Wharf Aquatics
Photo © Sean Evans
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| Common name: | Firemouth cichlid |
| Scientific name: | Thorichthys meeki |
| Synonyms: | Cichlasoma meeki (old genus name) |
| Size: | Up to 6" (15cm), females smaller. |
| Origin: | Mexico: Yucatan, Guatemala |
| Tank setup: | Large planted tank (suggest 3ft/92cm or larger) with rocks and wood for cover, and some open space for swimming and displaying. |
| Compatibility: | Likely to be too aggressive for the general community tank, especially when spawning. Can be kept with other medium-large robust fish. |
| Temperature: | 21-25oC (70-77oF) |
| Water chemistry: | Neutral to alkaline (pH 7.0-7.5), medium hard. |
| Feeding: | Omnivorous: Cichlid pellets, granular and flake foods, frozen/live foods. |
| Sexing: | Males are larger than females and have more colour and red on the throat. Differences in finnage are minor at best. |
| Breeding: | A pair will clean a rock, female deposits up to 500 eggs. Both parents tend the fry. |
| Comments: |
Although these cichlids can usually be mixed with larger and more robust community fish,
like most cichlids they will be very territorial when spawning.
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