Thorichthys meeki – Firemouth Cichlid
The Fire-throated Cichlid is one of the first larger cichlids to be kept on a large scale in the aquarium world and is known to almost all aquarists. The bright red throat provides a nice contrast with the gray/blueish body, the black spot on the gill cover and the blue/green spots on the fins. The red color on its mouth and throat can vary in brightness, depending on the origin of the fish and also its mood.
The difference between male and female is quite easy to see. The males grow larger, about 17 centimeters, while the females reach a length of about 13 centimeters. The females also have more color on their fins and a rounder belly. The end of the dorsal fin of males is tapered and rounded in females.
The colors of the Firemouth Cichlid vary slightly depending on the location of the catch. Offspring from Asia are frequently offered in the trade. Unfortunately, some of this offspring has lost a lot of color. So look carefully at the fish you buy. Hobbyist breeders often offer offspring with purer bloodlines and better coloring than in the store.
Character
Due to the behavior of the Thorichthys meeki, people often think that these are aggressive fish, but nothing could be further from the truth. They can confront each other with their gill covers spread wide open, but there is no real fighting. They are quite calm towards other species, even towards smaller species. (Not too small because then they will be seen as food).
The Aquarium
A couple can be kept in an aquarium of 100 centimeters by 50 by 50, but bigger is of course better. The most beautiful is a group of Thorichthys meeki in which there are several couples. To house a group, the aquarium must be at least 1 meter 50 wide. The decoration can consist of driftwood, sand, round pebbles and some gravel. During the mating season they can thoroughly disturb the soil, so use large, sturdy plants that are well anchored. The colors of the meeki stand out better in slightly dimmed light and a dark bottom. If the light is too bright, the colors quickly look a bit pale.
Diet
In terms of food, they are real omnivores. However, they quickly become fat if fed too much fatty food. So provide a well-balanced diet of small cichlid sticks with little fat, alternated with live or frozen food in the form of mysis, krill, white mosquito or brine shrimp. It is better not to feed tubifex, red mosquito or other fatty food such as mussels.
Breeding
Breeding is relatively simple. A pair forms a territory and starts chasing other fish away. Once they have found a spot, they start by cleaning a flat rock. If the stone is clean enough, the female deposits about 100 to 500 eggs, which are immediately fertilized by the male. The eggs hatch after about three days and another three days later the larvae begin to swim. They can then be fed with dust food and brine shrimp. The parents dig holes in the ground in which the young are housed for the first 7 to 8 days. After this, they explore the aquarium with their parents. The young are very sensitive to changes in water composition. Try to avoid excessive fluctuations until they reach about 6 centimeters.
Video
Author
John de Lange
Copyright images
Matthijs Meindertsma
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