Firemouth cichlid
Thorichthys meeki
A Central American cichlid with a fiery red throat it flares when threatened; fairly calm for a cichlid but territorial when breeding.
Key facts
- Body length
- 4.7 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 34 gallons
- Group
- 2+
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Cichlid pellets, flakes, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp
- Origin
- Central America
- Hardier than98%
- Bigger than64%
- Calmer than28%
Water: their range vs yours
Firemouth cichlid tank mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- AngelfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blood parrot cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bristlenose plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bronze coryGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Clown loachGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Common plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- DiscusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Leopard sailfin plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Pearl gouramiGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Peppered coryGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Rosy barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbFiremouth cichlid can eat young or small Tiger barb; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- Black widow tetraFiremouth cichlid can eat young or small Black widow tetra; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat young or small Firemouth cichlid; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- Chinese algae eaterTwo territorial bottom-dwellers: need ≥ 10350 cm² of floor, tank has 5612 cm².Risky
- Convict cichlidTwo territorial bottom-dwellers: need ≥ 6300 cm² of floor, tank has 5612 cm².Risky
- DemasoniTwo territorial bottom-dwellers: need ≥ 9000 cm² of floor, tank has 5612 cm².Risky
- Neon tetraFiremouth cichlid can eat Neon tetra: prey body depth 0.7 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- Harlequin rasboraFiremouth cichlid can eat Harlequin rasbora: prey body depth 1.1 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- Fancy guppyFiremouth cichlid can eat Fancy guppy: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- Panda corydorasFiremouth cichlid can eat Panda corydoras: prey body depth 2.4 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- OtocinclusFiremouth cichlid can eat Otocinclus: prey body depth 0.7 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- Cherry shrimpFiremouth cichlid can eat Cherry shrimp: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for firemouth cichlids: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 12 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 51.84 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 10.69 BU
- Min. water
- 108 L net
- Min. footprint
- 120 × 30 cm per pair
- Group
- 2+ (best 2)
- Swims in
- bottom, middle
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- deep bodied, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- —
Sources: Seriously Fish: Thorichthys meeki
Care notes
Firemouth cichlids come from Central America and sift sand through their mouths looking for food. They are not especially aggressive, but males defend the area around their eggs.
A pair needs a tank at least 4 feet long, around 29 gallons, with soft sand. Much smaller fish and dwarf shrimp may be eaten.
Questions
What size tank does a firemouth cichlid need?
At least 34 gallons (108 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 4.7 inches without fins.
How many firemouth cichlids should be kept together?
Keep at least 2, ideally 2 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do firemouth cichlids need?
75–82 °F, pH 6.5–8.5 and 2–15 dGH. Firemouth cichlids come from Central America.
How long do firemouth cichlids live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with firemouth cichlids?
Good tank mates include Betta, Angelfish, Blood parrot cichlid, Bristlenose pleco and Bronze cory. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.