Scientific name: Thorichthys meeki, formerly Cichlasoma meeki

Common name: Fire mouth, firemouth cichlid

Region: Central America - South Mexico to Guatemala

Size: max 6 inches (15 cm)

Color: The Fire Mouth cichlid is perhaps one of the most easily recognizable tropical fish. They are silvery-gray, with thick black vertical bands. The most distinct marker of this aquarium fish is their deep red throat and belly coloration. Males usually have darker colours and are usually plumper.

Water Chemistry: pH: 7-8, soft water

Temperature: 75-78

Aggression: relatively peaceful, except when spawning.

Compatibility: Stock with less aggressive, calmer companions, if placing this species in a community setup.

Diet: Omnivorous. Feed a high quality, varied diet for best coloration and health. The occasional earthworm will be appreciated by this fish!

How to breed: If you wish to breed Firemouths, you're best to give them their own tank. It can be difficult to determine the sex of your Firemouths unless they're already breeding, (females can look a lot like makes). Usually you can determine males by their "blowing up" displays.

Pairs spawn inside a cave, so if you haven't any rock caves, supply a flower pot or pipe. Depending on the size of the female, up to a few hundred eggs may be laid. Usually the female will care for the eggs, males guarding the surrounding territory. The eggs hatch in about three days, and the female will deposit the young "wigglers" into a pre-dug depression. In a day or two they will be free-swimming.

The wigglers will survive for about a day on their yolk sacs, then can be fed finely ground flake foods or newly-hatched brine shrimp. You can grind flake food and mix it with water, or even try hard-boiled egg yolk in water. You may notice the parents supplying some of their food after being chewed up (like birds!). After two to three weeks, separate the young from the parents.

General: Firemouths are rather shy. You will not find them out in front, fighting for space nor food. Therefore, if you're mixing with other cichlids, you should introduce them in pecking order, the more easygoing first. Rather than placing with other cichlids, you want to consider a Central American biotope setup instead; with fishes (arger characins (tetras) & catfishes), plants and maybe even invertebrates from the same region.