All fish / Cichlidae

Firemouth Cichlid

Thorichthys meeki

Also known as firemouth, firemouth cichlid, fire mouth cichlid, firemouth cichlasoma, cichlasoma meeki, meeki cichlid, red throat cichlid, ปลาหมอไฟร์เมาท์, ファイヤーマウス, ikan mulut api, 火口鱼, 红肚火口

A grey to bluish cichlid with dark vertical bars, a black spot on each gill cover and a vivid red throat and belly, which males flare by puffing out their gill covers. It is popular because it is hardy, colourful and full of character while staying fairly mild for a Central American cichlid.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

24 to 29 °C

pH

6.5 to 8

Smallest tank

150 litres

Keep as

A pair or one male with females

Diet

Omnivore: quality cichlid pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, mysis and some vegetable matter

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Atlantic slope of Central America: southern Mexico (Yucatán), Belize and Guatemala

Breeding

Pairs clean a flat stone and lay a few hundred eggs, then both parents guard the eggs and free-swimming fry closely. Breeding is easy in a roomy tank, though the pair becomes territorial while caring for young.

Good to know

Pairs turn aggressive when breeding, so give plenty of space and avoid very small or timid tankmates. It digs in sand and may uproot plants.