Breeding Firemouth Cichlids (Thorichthys Meeki) In The Aquarium

Location

This freshwater species lives in slow-flowing rivers, streams, estuaries, ponds and lakes in Yucatan Peninsula.

Body description

Colour of the body is gray-olive with orange-red under-side and with opalescent blue dots. There are transverse, dark stripes and 3 black spots with white border on the sides of the fish (on the gill cover, in the middle of the body and on the base of the caudal fin). There is also an irregular, black stripe along the lateral line. All fins have opalescent blue border. Female is smaller, less colourful than male. Her dorsal and anal fins are shorter compared to male’s fins.

Temperament and behaviour

This species is only aggressive and territorial during the spawning season. You may keep these fish in a general tank with other gentle and similar size species, especially with other cichlids from Central America. The fish spread their gill covers when they want to frighten intruders.

Aquarium decoration

This species likes to dig in the substrate so you need to attach all decorative elements and plants to the substrate firmly. The fish prefers spacious tank with clean water, dimmed light, soft substrate, space to swim and hiding-places among roots, flat stones, pots or caves. You need an effective filtration system with slow water flow. A partial water exchange should be done regularly.

Breeding

This is an oviparous species. You can stimulate the fish to spawn by increasing the water temperature. The fish forms pairs within the group. You may breed these fish in the general tank or a separate aquarium. Female lays eggs (up to hundreds) on previously carefully cleaned hard surface. It is usually stone, cave or pot. Male immediately fertilizes the eggs. The eggs hatch after 2-3 days. Then parents move the larvae to previously dug holes in the substrate. The fry starts to swim and feed 4-5 days later. The parents take care for the offspring for minimum 2 weeks.