Are firemouth cichlids mean?

Can African cichlids and firemouths live together?

Firemouths With African Cichlids If you’re one of the many people wondering if you can pair a firemouth cichlid with an African cichlid, the answer is no. Some owners have pulled it off, but we’ve heard far more bad stories than good ones. Better to play it safe and keep them apart.

What are the characteristics of a firemouth?

One of the defining characteristics of firemouths is a black mark located on the lower portion of the operculum. In addition, some also display lateral darker bars along the sides (the darkness of these bars will vary).

What is a firemouth cichlid?

The firemouth cichlid is a beautiful and vibrant freshwater fish that brings a special splash of color to any tank. Seeing them swim around can provide endless entertainment! Because of their beauty, this species is very popular in the aquarium community.

What is Thorichthys meeki (firemouth cichlid)?

Thorichthys meeki, also known as Firemouth Cichlid, are peaceful and colorful fish. If you are thinking about adding some colors to your aquarium, then surely go for them. Today, they are scarcely found in North America and have spread all over the world and are among the favorites of fish-keepers globally.

Can a firemouth cichlid live with bigger tank mates?

Tank mates that are too small might get picked on, and ones that are too big might stress out your firemouth. This will cause them to live in a constant state of stress even if the larger fish doesn’t mean any harm. Here are some of our favorite firemouth cichlid tank mates:

Can you keep different types of cichlids together?

Can You Keep Different Types of Cichlids Together? The answer is a simple Yes! However, you should be aware of their natural habitat. For instance, African Cichlids prefer slightly alkaline water and can be very aggressive.

How long do firemouths live in captivity?

There have been reported instances where this species has managed to live up to 15 years in captivity, but those are outliers (some care guides have been reporting that as the norm). Author Note: If you want to get a firemouth that lives as long as possible you should look into who you’re buying your fish from.

Are firemouths aggressive?

Behavior & Temperament Firemouths are affable fish that are normally pretty peaceful if they have adequate swimming space and a healthy environment. As long as they deem their environment to be satisfactory, they’ll rarely cause trouble in the tank. However, if these conditions aren’t met then they can be prone to aggression.

Are Firemouth cichlids active fish?

In terms of general activity, firemouth cichlids are a pretty active fish that prefers to swim near the middle of the aquarium. You will see them regularly visit the substrate to check things out or root around as well (classic cichlid). Firemouth Cichlid Tank Mates

What is the difference between male and female firemouths?

Alternately, females tend to display a larger and rounder belly than males. One of the defining characteristics of firemouths is a black mark located on the lower portion of the operculum.

Is firemouth cichlid a good fish to keep?

Firemouth Cichlid – Care, Size, Breeding, Tank Mates & Details You Need! Firemouth cichlid (Thorichthys meeki) is very popular among aquatic lovers and keepers because of its natural care. It is being kept by aquarists all over the world for centuries and is the oldest fish among those who love this hobby.

What is the difference between a male and female firemouth cichlid?

Like just about any fish species, male and female firemouth cichlids do have a few different appearance characteristics. Males tend to have a brighter red-orange coloration, and their fin rays are usually somewhat longer than the females are. Alternately, females tend to display a larger and rounder belly than males.

Are Firemouth cichlids an invasive species?

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. Resource competition and predation are the two most common and worst effects.

How do I add a firemouth cichlid to my tank?

Don’t waste your money and endanger your fish! There are currently no fish in your fish tank. To add fish, you can click the ‘Add the Firemouth Cichlid to your tank’ button. Or search for a different fish using the options presented above

What kind of fish is Thorichthys meeki?

Firemouth cichlid (Thorichthys meeki) is a tank fish of cichlid family. This species was named after American ichthyologist Seth Eugene Meek.

What does a meeki fish look like?

Meeki body main color is light-gray or olive-gray with some blueish tint, while adult cichlid body color becomes completely violet. Depending on a fish state and its environment conditions cichlasoma meeki may have some wide dark transverse stripes and/or a lateral stripe and a black spot in the middle of its body.

What kind of fish is a meek?

Firemouth cichlid (lat. Thorichthys meeki) is a tank fish of Cichlidae family. This species was named after American ichthyologist Seth Eugene Meek. Thorichthys meeki was fist described in 1918 by Walter Brind.

What is the best cichlid for a big aquarium?

A big cichlid (up to 21 inches) that needs a big aquarium. The Jewel cichlid can get aggressive with tank mates (like many cichlids) when they pair off. Use caution when mixing with other kenyi (must only be in ratio of 1 male to 2+ females) and not with other fish from Metriclima group due to aggression.

Do firemouth fish have a mate choice?

The redness in this fish comes from carotenoids and the redness has no effect on mate choice. In other words, the redder males may not necessarily be the preferred choice for females and it is not yet clearly understood what is driving female firemouth preference in mates. Aquarium Size : 30 gallon for a pair, much larger for multiples.

How big of a tank does a firemouth cichlid need?

Tank Size The recommended tank size for firemouth cichlids is a minimum of 30 gallons. These aren’t nano fish, so they need a little bit of room to swim. However, 30 gallons is still very manageable no matter how much space you have available in your home.

What kind of fish can live with cichlids?

Central American Cichlids: This species of cichlids can comfortably live with Plecos, Mexican tetra, Rainbow fish, as well as Blue-eyed Penque. South American Cichlids: one thing you should know about this species is that they eat smaller fishes.

How long do Firemouth cichlids live?

Caring for them is fairly straightforward and they don’t need a large tank to thrive. When you add the obvious aesthetic benefits, it’s a no-brainer! The average firemouth cichlid lifespan is around 10 years when given proper care.