Fire Mouth Cichlid
Fire Mouth Cichlid
Fire Mouth Cichlid (Thorichthys meeki) displays one of the most spectacular threat displays in the cichlid world — a vivid orange-red to scarlet throat and chest that flushes even brighter when the fish flares its gill covers in an intimidating display. The display is mostly bluff — Fire Mouths are less aggressive than their intimidating display suggests.
Feeding & Care Tip: Hikari Cichlid Bio-Gold makes an excellent primary staple — Hikari Micro Pellets as backup. Supplement 2–3× per week with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms or Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Brine Shrimp. Feed 2–3 times daily in amounts consumed within a few minutes.
Native to Yucatan Peninsula, Guatemala, and Belize. Central American cichlids generally prefer hard, alkaline water — quite different from the soft acidic conditions preferred by most South American cichlids.
Keep as a bonded pair or with other large, similarly aggressive Central American cichlids. Flat surface spawners with devoted biparental care.
Central American cichlids are rewarding and long-lived aquarium residents for experienced cichlid keepers.
Care & Ideal Parameters
| Difficulty | Easy — Moderate |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive — bluff-heavy threat displays |
| Typical Adult Size | 7.0 inches (17 cm) |
| Min. Group Size | Bonded pair — species or Central American community |
| Ideal Temp | 75–82°F (24–28°C) |
| Ideal pH | 7.0–8.0 |
| Ideal GH | 8–20 dGH |
| Ideal KH | 4–12 dKH |
| Staple Food | Hikari Cichlid Bio-Gold; Hikari Micro Pellets |
| Treat / Supplement | Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms; Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Brine Shrimp |
| Origin | Yucatan Peninsula, Guatemala, and Belize |
| Notes | Vivid red-orange throat flares during threat display. More bluff than bite. Yucatan Peninsula. Good community cichlid despite dramatic displays. |
