Thorichthys meeki (Firemouth cichlid)

Written by Marina Parha and George J. Reclos Tuesday, 27 January 2009 00:00

General

Scientific Name or classification	Thorichthys helleri meeki (initial description), Cichlasoma meeki
Common Name	Firemouth cichlid
Family	Cichlidae
Type Locality	Motzorongo, Veracruz (Lat.18°15' N., Long 96°43' W.). Type: Thorichtys ellioti.
Etymology	Thor (=dragging Greek) + ichthys (= fish Greek); meeki= Named after Seth Eugene Meek. Referring to a jumping fish as these fish were originally seen darting out of the water.

Species Information

Size (TL or SL in cm)	Up to 15 cm SL.
Identification	A tall, laterally compressed cichlid. The head is large and pointed. The anal and dorsal fins come to a point. The body colour is light grey 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.
Sexing	Mainly by size of similarly aged fish. Males develop a nuptial hump as they grow up while the forehead of the females remains gently sloped. The shape of the genital papilla also differs; the ovipositor is thicker in diameter than the equivalent male reproductive organ. Breeding females have more intense colouration than breeding males. It is often argued that these fish can be sexed by the shape of their finnage; in particular males are supposed to have a longer and more pointed dorsal fin and a longer ventral fin. This is not always the case.

Size (TL or SL in cm)

Up to 15 cm SL.

Identification

A tall, laterally compressed cichlid. The head is large and pointed. The anal and dorsal fins come to a point. The body colour is light grey 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.

Sexing

Mainly by size of similarly aged fish. Males develop a nuptial hump as they grow up while the forehead of the females remains gently sloped. The shape of the genital papilla also differs; the ovipositor is thicker in diameter than the equivalent male reproductive organ. Breeding females have more intense colouration than breeding males.

It is often argued that these fish can be sexed by the shape of their finnage; in particular males are supposed to have a longer and more pointed dorsal fin and a longer ventral fin. This is not always the case.

Habitat

Natural distribution	Central America; Southern Mexico, Honduras. Shallow areas of lakes, springs, streams, and flooded areas, usually in slow-moving water. The firemouth has been found in underground water systems.
pH	pH 6.5-8.5 (7.0). We have kept and bred ours in 7.6.
Temperature	20-27°C (68-81°F)
Other parameters	GH 4-20 (10)

Husbandry

Feeding	Omnivorous; all food is taken. Preference to meaty foods. Not a fussy eater.
Compatibility	This is a mild fish which only shows some aggression when breeding. It is compatible with other fish of similar size not overly aggressive. T. meeki is a very delicate fish and will not stand boisterous or consistently aggressive tank mates.
Suggested Tankmates	Cichlasomines, other South American cichlids, Loricarids, smaller Pimelodids, large Characins, Hemichromis, Tilapia. Avoid other Thoricthys species as the fish will readily hybridize.
Furniture	Sand, pieces of wood creating caves and overhands, stones. Plants are also well accepted if big enough not to be damaged.
Recommended Tank Size	20" (50 cm) or 10 gallons (38 L) is adequate for young individuals (under 3"), but adults should be kept in larger tanks, 36" (91 cm) or 40 gallons (151 L). Provide shelter with rocks, roots, and wood. Leave open swimming areas. The substrate should be fine gravel or preferably sand. Use hardy, well-rooted plants as this species will burrow.
Behaviour in Captivity	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. It may eat small fish. It is best kept in colonies of 6-8 individuals, depending on the available tank size. To acquire a compatible pair, place a group of young fish in a tank and allow them to pair off. Two pairs can be kept in 55-gallon tank. During the spawning season, this fish will defend its site and eggs thus possibly upsetting other tank mates. The firemouth will attack any other fish that swim near the spawning site or brood, particularly smaller or less aggressive individuals. The pairs form a nuclear family and are excellent parents.
Other remarks	Firemouths are sensitive fish, so try to avoid sudden movement or noise. When established they become well settled and confident in the tank. It has been reported that when frightened they may swim frantically around the tank, often injuring themselves in the process.They may even play dead. We have not observed this with our colony. The firemouth is one of the most popularly kept cichlids. Wild-caught specimens are much more beautiful than the toned down tank bred fish from Southeast Asia. The firemouth is sexually mature at 3" (8 cm). They are not aggressive and can’t stand bullying. In out tank, the smaller but much more boisterous and aggressive E. suratensis managed to overtake the spawning site of one of our breeding pairs stressing the pair to death.

Breeding

Breeding	Better start with a colony of 6-8 fish as this fish is often found in groups in their natural habitats. Female must be smaller than the male otherwise as a rule she will not accept him and may kill him. Once paired, the fish will spawn readily, roughly once about 2-3 months and the fry are quite easy to raise. Two of our pairs spawn on flat surfaces however their overall behaviour indicates they prefer to spawn inside caves; this allows for better protection of the brood. Males may be aggressive towards females when the latter are not ready to spawn. Some males will eat the fry in an attempt to spawn again so they are better removed if the fry are to be left with the mother. Substrate spawner. For a breeding report see Keeping and Breeding Thoricthys meeki.

Breeding

Better start with a colony of 6-8 fish as this fish is often found in groups in their natural habitats. Female must be smaller than the male otherwise as a rule she will not accept him and may kill him. Once paired, the fish will spawn readily, roughly once about 2-3 months and the fry are quite easy to raise. Two of our pairs spawn on flat surfaces however their overall behaviour indicates they prefer to spawn inside caves; this allows for better protection of the brood. Males may be aggressive towards females when the latter are not ready to spawn. Some males will eat the fry in an attempt to spawn again so they are better removed if the fry are to be left with the mother. Substrate spawner. For a breeding report see Keeping and Breeding Thoricthys meeki.

Photos by the authors.

References / Citations:

The Forgotten Thorichthys maculipinnis by Juan Miguel Artigas Azas

Thorichthys meeki, the firemouth in the wild, by Juan Miguel Artigas Azas

Cichlasoma meeki

Thorichthys meeki

Enter Thorichthys meeki gallery.