Firemouth Cichlid
|

|
| Common name | Firemouth |
| 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 with rocks and wood for cover, and some open space for swimming and displaying |
| Compatibility | May be too aggressive for the general community tank, especially when spawning. Can be kept with other 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 |
| 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. |