FireMouth Cichlid
chichlasoma meeki

It belongs to the family Cichlidae

Click here to learn what a cichlid is.

Cost: $5-45, with the wild caught specimens costing more.

Origin:
Guatemala Yucatan (Mexico)

Description:
Typical cichlid shape, but with a larger head. Upper body more arched then lower one. About 6 inches (15cm).

Color:
Consists of many different colors, the basic solo is a bluish gray with a nice purple sheen. The back tends darker, while the belly is a yellowish olive, the throat an lower jaw define what the fish is called because they are a magnificent brick red. A black line that is often divided in to spots, starts at the top edge of the gill cover and extends all the way to the bas of the tail. In the middle of the body there is a large gray-edged patch.

Sexual Distinction:

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Female will be duller in color, while having less pronounced spines of the anal and dorsal fins.

Tank conditions:
Temperature 68-73 degrees Fahrenheit (20-23 Celsius). Ph and hardness rating that too important, middle ranges with soot this fish best. Does not do well in planted tanks.

Food:
Live food, with a little plant food.

Behavior:
A relatively peaceful fish. Does better with other cichlids.

Sexual maturity and reproduction:
Reach a sexual maturity at around 3 inches (8cm). Pair forming, and when trying to breed you can raise the tank water to 75-79 degrees Fahrenheit or (24-26 Celsius).

Compatibility:
Should be kept with other cichlids. Become territorial.

Jack Dempsey
chichlasoma octofasciatum

It belongs to the family Cichlidae

Click here to learn what a cichlid is.

Cost: $5-15

Origin:
Central Amazon basin, Rio Negro

Description:
General shape, similar to most other cichlids, straighter belly profile. Has large dorsal and anal fins. Grows up to 7 inches (18 cm)

Color:
Said by some, including me, to be one of the colorful fish in ones aquarium. The basic colors are gray-brown to a vibrant red-brown. There are usually seven to eight black vertical lines, with old age these lines will disappear completely. There is one lateral black line that starts on the gill covering and ends in a black patch on the middle of the body.

Sexual distinction:
The female will be paler in color, while the male will be a brilliant deep blue to attract the female. On the males the dorsal fin will come to a point, while the females will be rounded.

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Tank conditions:
Temperature 72-75 degrees Fahrenheit (22-24 Celsius). The ph and hardness are of medium values. A large non-planted tank with a substrate of sand or fine gravel would soot this fish well. Coconut shells and some stones will give the Jack hours of enjoyment.

Feeding:
Lots of live, coarse food. Some substitute for live food would be a high quality dried food.

Behavior:
A territorial fish once adulthood is reached, while in it’s younger years it’s a schooling fish.

Sexual maturity and reproduction:
Form strong united pairs. Will reach sexual maturity at a length of 3-4 inches (8-10cm). Open spawners.

Compatibility:
Highly aggressive and excitable, especially during spawning periods. Best when kept in a species tank.