Edit Thorichthys meeki
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Name
Scientific name
Thorichthys meeki
Described by
Authority Brind, Year 1918
Family
Cichlidae
Summary
The firemouth cichlid, Thorichthys meeki, is a Central American cichlid from Mexico's Atlantic slope and the Yucatán south into Belize and …
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
120mm, standard length
Tank size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm
Water
Temperature and pH
Temperature 20–32°C, pH 6.5–8.5
Hardness
2–15dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Not recorded
Social needs
A pair
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries
Belize, Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico, United States
Supporting text
Etymology
Thorichthys: from the Ancient Greek θρῴσκω (throsko) meaning 'to leap, spring', and ἰχθύς (ikhthús), meaning 'fish'. meeki: named in honour of American ichthyo…
Distribution
Its natural range extends eastward from the Río Tonalá system near Coatzacoalcos, on Mexico's Atlantic slope, through the states of Veracruz, Chiapas, Tabasco,…
Habitat
Has been collected from a diverse range of lowland biotopes characterised by still to moderately-flowing, relatively shallow (depth <1.5 metres), clear-to-m…
Aquarium size
Base dimensions of 120 ∗ 30 cm48 ∗ 12 in are acceptable for a single pair, but it generally does best in larger aquaria alongside both conspecifics and other s…
Maintenance
Provided adequate cover and structure is available this species is unfussy with regards to décor with ceramic flowerpots, lengths of plastic piping and other a…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
Thorichthys species are primarily benthophagous omnivores with wild individuals often feeding on small crustaceans such as copepods and cladocerans, plus other…
Behaviour and compatibility
Not especially aggressive, though territorial when breeding and may eat much smaller fishes. It can be kept with similarly-sized Central American cichlids but …
Sexual dimorphism
It is difficult to sex younger fish but adult males tend to grow larger, develop more extended dorsal- and anal-fin filaments and are more intensely-coloured t…
Reproduction
A biparental, monogamous substrate spawner that is easily-bred when in good condition. There doesn’t appear to be any particular trigger for the spawning proce…
Notes
This species has been a popular aquarium fish for a considerable period and virtually all fish traded are now raised commercially for the purpose. It is easily…
References
References
9 on this profile