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This fish is a tall, laterally compressed cichlid. The head is large and pointed. The anal and dorsal fins come to a point. The body color is light gray to dark slate gray and six to seven, often faint, transverse stripes mark the upper parts. A black spot can be found on the gill cover. The throat and breast are bight red as is the anal fins which also has some iridescent blue spots. The other fins have a red tint with the green to blue iridescent spots. This fish is a beautiful fish when it is fully developed. It is also a very shy fish. It can grow up to 6" (15 cm) and prefers the bottom of the tank.
It’s natural habitat can be found in shallow areas of lakes, springs,
streams, and flooded areas, usually in slow-moving water. Central
America; Southern Mexico, Honduras. The Firemouth has been found in
underground water systems.
10 gallons (38 L) is adequate for young individuals (under 3"), but
adults should be kept in larger tanks of at least 40 gallons (151 L).
Provide shelter with rocks, roots, and wood. I also recommend heavily
planted tanks but make sure you use soft artificial plants or live plants as
their finnage tends to tear easily. Leave open swimming areas. The
substrate should be fine gravel or preferably sand. Be sure to use hardy,
well-rooted plants as this species will burrow.
Water parameters are recommended to read as follows: pH 6.5-8.5 (7.0),
dH 4-20 (10), with temperatures ranging between 68-81F (20-27C).
A relatively peaceful cichlid that can be kept in a community tank with
other cichlids and even smaller fish. The Firemouth is territorial and will
display its bright red gill covers to frighten other fish off. They will eat
small fish and they are best kept in pairs. To acquire a compatible pair,
place a group of young fish in a tank and allow them to pair up. Take the
best looking, and most evenly matched pair and keep them. Two pairs
can be kept in 55-gallon tank. During the spawning season, this fish
becomes a menace to other tank mates. The Firemouth aggressively
attacks any other fish that swim near the spawning site or brood. The
pairs form a nuclear family and are excellent parents.
Recommended tankmates include Cichlasomines, other South American
cichlids, Loricarids, Pimelodids, large Characins, Hemichromis, Tilapia
and thrive best when fed foods such as Live insects, insect larvae,
worms, crustaceans; flakes; plant matter; vegetables.
Males have more intense colors and have pointed anal and dorsal fins,
while the female has a dark spot on its dorsal fin. Males have a pointed
genital papilla. This fish is an easily bred cichlid in neutral water, with a
harness around 10, and a temperature of 77-82ÁF (25-28ÁC). The eggs,
numbering as many as 500, are laid on previously cleaned rocks. There,
the female fans the eggs while the male guards the territory. It is
advisable to remove other fish, to keep them from being harmed by the
male. The eggs hatch in 3-4 days and are taken to pits where both
parents guard them. Start feeding with fine-grade dry food and Artemia.
The pair may raise several broods yearly.
Keep in mind that the Firemouths are nervous fish, so try to avoid sudden movement or noise. When frightened they may swim frantically around the tank, often injuring themselves in the process. They may even play dead. The Firemouth is one of the most popularly kept cichlids. Wild-caught specimen are much more beautiful than the plentiful tank bred fish from Southeast Asia. The Firemouth is sexually mature at 3" (8 cm). I would recommend this fish for beginners as long as proper water parameters are kept and regular cleaning schedules are practiced.