Firemouth cichlid: Difference between revisions
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The '''firemouth cichlid''' (''Thorichthys meeki'') is a species of [[cichlid]] fish native to [[Central America]]. They occur in rivers of the [[Yucatán Peninsula]], [[Mexico]], south through [[Belize]] and into northern [[Guatemala]]. Their natural habitat is typically shallow, slow-moving, often [[turbidity|turbid]], water with a [[pH]] of 6.5 - 8.0. It has also been reported to live in underground cave systems. As fish with a tropical distribution, firemouth cichlids live in warm water with a temperature range of 23–30 °C (75–86 °F). The common name, firemouth, is derived from the bright orange-red colouration on the underside of the jaw. Males in particular flare out their gills, exposing their red throats, in a threat display designed to ward off male rivals from their territory. Like most cichlids, [[offspring|brood]] care is highly developed; this species is an egg-layer. Firemouth cichlids form [[monogamous]] pairs and spawn on flattened surfaces of rocks, leaves or submerged wood. Breeding males are primarily responsible for territorial defense, while females are more intensively involved in raising the fry, though both parents lead the fry in search of food. Firemouth cichlids are omnivorous and opportunistic in their feeding strategies. Their ability to protrude their jaw 6% standard length limits their diet to about 6% evasive prey. <ref> {{Cite doi|10.1111/j.1365-2435.2005.00987.x}}</ref> Sexual dimorphism is present, though limited in this species. Males are generally larger, (up to 15 cm), than females with brighter and more red colouration around the throat, they also have more pointed dorsal and anal fins. Firemouths are suitable for community aquaria, though they may become aggressive to other members of its species during spawning. |
The '''firemouth cichlid''' (''Thorichthys meeki'') is a species of [[cichlid]] fish native to [[Central America]]. They occur in rivers of the [[Yucatán Peninsula]], [[Mexico]], south through [[Belize]] and into northern [[Guatemala]]. Their natural habitat is typically shallow, slow-moving, often [[turbidity|turbid]], water with a [[pH]] of 6.5 - 8.0. It has also been reported to live in underground cave systems. As fish with a tropical distribution, firemouth cichlids live in warm water with a temperature range of 23–30 °C (75–86 °F). The common name, firemouth, is derived from the bright orange-red colouration on the underside of the jaw. Males in particular flare out their gills, exposing their red throats, in a threat display designed to ward off male rivals from their territory. Like most cichlids, [[offspring|brood]] care is highly developed; this species is an egg-layer. Firemouth cichlids form [[monogamous]] pairs and spawn on flattened surfaces of rocks, leaves or submerged wood. Breeding males are primarily responsible for territorial defense, while females are more intensively involved in raising the fry, though both parents lead the fry in search of food. Firemouth cichlids are omnivorous and opportunistic in their feeding strategies. Their ability to protrude their jaw 6% standard length limits their diet to about 6% evasive prey. <ref> {{Cite doi|10.1111/j.1365-2435.2005.00987.x}}</ref> Sexual dimorphism is present, though limited in this species. Males are generally larger, (up to 15 cm), than females with brighter and more red colouration around the throat, they also have more pointed dorsal and anal fins. Firemouths are suitable for community aquaria, though they may become aggressive to other members of its species during spawning.They should not be kept with small catfishes and swordtails as firemouths can swallow them and throw them out when they can't force it in. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 09:21, 4 May 2014
| Firemouth cichlid | |
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| Species: | T. meeki
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| Thorichthys meeki Brind, 1918
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The firemouth cichlid (Thorichthys meeki) is a species of cichlid fish native to Central America. They occur in rivers of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, south through Belize and into northern Guatemala. Their natural habitat is typically shallow, slow-moving, often turbid, water with a pH of 6.5 - 8.0. It has also been reported to live in underground cave systems. As fish with a tropical distribution, firemouth cichlids live in warm water with a temperature range of 23–30 °C (75–86 °F). The common name, firemouth, is derived from the bright orange-red colouration on the underside of the jaw. Males in particular flare out their gills, exposing their red throats, in a threat display designed to ward off male rivals from their territory. Like most cichlids, brood care is highly developed; this species is an egg-layer. Firemouth cichlids form monogamous pairs and spawn on flattened surfaces of rocks, leaves or submerged wood. Breeding males are primarily responsible for territorial defense, while females are more intensively involved in raising the fry, though both parents lead the fry in search of food. Firemouth cichlids are omnivorous and opportunistic in their feeding strategies. Their ability to protrude their jaw 6% standard length limits their diet to about 6% evasive prey. [1] Sexual dimorphism is present, though limited in this species. Males are generally larger, (up to 15 cm), than females with brighter and more red colouration around the throat, they also have more pointed dorsal and anal fins. Firemouths are suitable for community aquaria, though they may become aggressive to other members of its species during spawning.They should not be kept with small catfishes and swordtails as firemouths can swallow them and throw them out when they can't force it in.
See also
References
- ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1111/j.1365-2435.2005.00987.x, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with
|doi=10.1111/j.1365-2435.2005.00987.xinstead.
- "Thorichthys meeki". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved June 22, 2005.
- Firemouth cichlid on FishBase
- Staeck, W., and H. Linke. (1995) American Cichlids II: Large Cichlids (revised edition in English). Tetra Second Nature, Blacksburg, VA-216.
- Andrews, Chris (1997). A Fishkeeper's Guide to Fish Breeding. Tetra Press. pp. 50–52. ISBN 1-56465-126-6.