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Firemouth Meeki(Thorichthys meeki) Care and Information Sheet

 

Scientific Name(s): Thorichthys meeki, Cichlasoma meeki

 

Common Name(s): Firemouth Meeki, Firemouth Cichlid, Firemouth

 

Firemouth Meeki Family: Cichlidae

 

Firemouth Meeki Species Type: Central American Cichlids

 

Firemouth Meeki Maximum Size: 6 inches

1"

3"

5"

7"

9"

11"

13"

15"

17"

19"

 

Firemouth Meeki Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

 

Firemouth Meeki Life Span: 10 years

0

3

6

9

12

15

18

21

24

27

30

 

Firemouth Meeki Temperature Range 74°F - 82°F

60°F

65°F

70°F

75°F

80°F

85°F

90°F

 

Firemouth Meeki pH Range 6.2 - 7.6

pH 5.0

pH 6.0

pH 7.0

pH 8.0

pH 9.0

 

Firemouth Meeki Hardness 7° - 20°

0°

10°

20°

30°

40°

 

Firemouth Meeki Natural Habitat: Central American rivers and streams

 

Firemouth Meeki Tank Region: All over the tank

 

Firemouth Meeki Tank Mates: Catfish, Plecos and other similar sized Central American cichlids are all good options.

 

Firemouth Meeki Description: Firemouth meeki have been for a while a popular aquarium fish. They are commonly found in local fish stores, usually imported from various fish farms around the world. The Firemouth Meeki is a beautiful fish; it has a distinctive red belly and mouth as well as flourescent blue speckles throughout . Reaching a maximum of 6 inches in size, they are an impressive fish but too large for a medium sized home aquarium. Although they are fierce defenders of their eggs and fry, the firemouth meeki is generally one of the more peaceful cichlid species. The firemouth meeki should be provided ample room in it's tank as well as plenty of cover in the form of driftwood, rocks or plants. A large, flat rock should be available if breeding is a goal.

 

 

Firemouth Meeki Breeding Information: The Firemouth Meeki is easy to breed. They are substrate breeders that lay their egg and fry on an in advanced cleaned flat surface, usually a rock. The females guards the eggs while the male kepp other fishes out of their breeding territory. The fry can be feed newly hatched Brine Shrimp.

 

Firemouth Meeki Sexing Information: Males have more pointed fins and more intense color.

 

Firemouth Meeki Diet: Omnivorous - A good quality tropical flake, granule or pellet supplemented with frozen shrimp & worm foods, daphnia, beefheart.

 

Firemouth Meeki Temperment: Peaceful for a cichlid, but can defend it's territory fiercely especially when spawning.

 

Firemouth Meeki Common Diseases: Cryptobia - a protozoan parasite that is thought by many to be the main culprit behind Malawi Bloat