{"product_id":"firemouth-cichlid-thorichthys-meeki","title":"Firemouth Cichlid | Thorichthys meeki","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Firemouth flares a brilliant red throat and gill covers to bluff rivals — all show and surprisingly little harm. A colourful, characterful and relatively peaceful Central American cichlid, it is one of the best \"first cichlids\" for a larger community. Adults reach around 15-17cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThorichthys meeki is native to Central America, from the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico south through Belize and into northern Guatemala. It lives in warm, often slow and slightly turbid rivers, pools and lagoons over soft substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA pearly grey-blue cichlid with a row of dark flank blotches and iridescent spangling, transformed when it displays by the vivid red throat and lower body that give it its name. Males are larger with more extended finnage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSemi-aggressive and territorial, particularly when breeding, but much of its aggression is bluff — the flared red throat is a threat display. Generally well behaved in a spacious community of similarly-sized, robust fish, and less destructive than many cichlids of its size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore. Feed a quality cichlid pellet staple with frozen and live foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp, plus some vegetable matter. A varied diet keeps its red colour strong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a roomy tank with a soft sandy substrate for sifting, rocks and wood for territory boundaries, and neutral to hard water. Hardy and forgiving, which is why it suits keepers stepping up to their first cichlid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn open substrate-spawner that forms strong pairs and lays eggs on a cleaned rock or flat surface. Both parents guard the eggs and fry diligently and become notably more territorial while breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThorichthys meeki\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFiremouth Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral America (Mexico, Belize, Guatemala)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15-17cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10-15 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive, territorial (largely bluff)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 litres+\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e23-28°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5-8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8-20 dGH (medium to hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarger communities; first-time cichlid keepers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMostly — may dig around roots, especially when breeding\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther medium, robust community fish such as larger tetras and barbs, rainbowfish, peaceful catfish and similarly-tempered cichlids in a spacious tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eVery small or timid fish that may be bullied or eaten, and highly aggressive large cichlids that will out-muscle it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize options reflect the sizes we stock; any shown as sold out will return as we restock. Australian livestock for in-store collection or local delivery, with our live arrival guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232808354083,"sku":"AA1508","price":26.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232808386851,"sku":null,"price":31.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232808419619,"sku":null,"price":36.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Firemouth_Cichlid_9e0dfe61-eeff-4b05-95a5-89575e0129cb.jpg?v=1781699422","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/firemouth-cichlid-thorichthys-meeki","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}