Before we get into the top 10 tank mates list, just wanted to give a quick overview on the Firemouth. They are mid-sized central American cichlids, with awesome red and grey coloration. They are mostly considered to be semi aggressive, and I’ve seen the full range of aggression keeping them. Sometimes they’ll hide out and stay to themselves, and sometimes they’ll be tank bosses like my current Firemouth. We’d recommend a minimum of 55 gallons if you’re keeping Firemouths with tank mates, and the larger the tank, the better. As always, we recommend having a back up plan – whether that’s another tank, a local store or friend in the hobby that could take the Firemouth if you run into too much aggression.

10. Electric Blue Acara

The Electric Blue Acara is an amazing South American cichlid, and it is truly a unique cichlid due to it’s bright blue coloration. That color isn’t commonly found in American cichlid tanks, so it really gives a pop of something different in your aquarium. When you pair an Electric Blue Acara with a Firemouth for instance, there is an even better color contrast to the dark grey and reds. I’ve found Electric Blue Acaras to be tough enough to go with many Central American cichlids. Their ideal setup would be with more peaceful South Americans, but I think they could also thrive with your Firemouth, Convicts, and Jack Dempsey’s. They are one of my all time favorite cichlids, and I love the pairing with a Firemouth.

9. Salvini Cichlid

The Salvini is one of most colorful Central American cichlids in the hobby, with bright yellow, blues, and reds. It’s undeniably beautiful, but also one of the more aggressive cichlids for its size. Topping out around the same length as the Firemouth, Salvini cichlids can sometimes be too aggressive, which is why they’re lower on this list. But if you have a large enough tank, over 75 gallons for instance, it will usually work out okay. I had to rehome my female salvini awhile back, so definitely have a back up plan if you go this route. But with the right tank size and setup, this mix would be one of the best options out there. The mix of colors between a Salvini and Firemouth would make for an incredible cichlid tank.

8. Silver Dollars

One way to mitigate some aggression issues like you might find with a Salvini or other cichlids, is by adding dither fish to the tank. Silver Dollars are a great choice in this instance. Getting a small school of silver dollars can provide a lot of activity in the tank as they swim back and forth. This takes the attention away from the cichlids fighting constantly. Although Silver Dollars are from South America, they can do just fine in the same water parameters as Firemouths. My group of silver dollars did really well with my aggressive Firemouth for awhile now, and it’s been a good match, especially if you have enough swimming space or them.

7. Plecos

Plecos make for a great tank mate for almost all cichlids. They will usually stick to themselves, clean your tank some, and give an extra dimension to a cichlid tank. Bristle nose plecos, and many of your more exotic types, would work well with Firemouths. I really like the king tiger and leopard frog plecos. I would be careful getting some of the larger types like the Common plecos, as they can be tank busters with that massive size, but there are plenty of other options that don’t get as big, and can be a great choice to go alongside your Firemouth.

6. Larger Tetras

Another non-cichlid option for tank mates is some of your larger tetra species. A few that I really like with a Firemouth include the Bleeding Heart tetra, the Columbian tetra, the Buenos Aires tetra, or the Congo Tetra. They’ll provide more activity in the tank, swimming around in loose schools, and acting as a great dither fish, which makes cichlids feel more comfortable in the tank, and hiding less as a result. I would stay away from your smaller species like the neon or cardinal tetra as those are too small and will become a meal for the Firemouth eventually. As long as you stick to the medium to large species of tetra, you could add that unique element to your cichlid tank.

5. Severum Cichlid

My Firemouth is currently in a 75 gallon with a Severum. It is a relatively rare mouthbrooding severum, and it’s held its own with this Firemouth. You could obviously get more colorful variations of severums as well, like the gold, turquoise or red should severum. All of these should be just fine with a Firemouth as long as you have a 75 gallon minimum tank size. The severum would likely be even higher on the list but they are from South America, not Central, and sometimes people want to keep those separate. Also, severums require that larger tank long term. But overall, a great tank mate option.

4. Nicaraguan Cichlid

The Nicaraguan cichlid is one of the most underrated cichlids in the hobby. The females especially get great coloration with blue, yellow, and reds in the body. They are central American cichlids, so they have the same tank setup and parameters as your more common central American cichlids like the Firemouth. They don’t get too large either, topping out around 7-8 inches in length. Their temperament is similar as well, making them a great tank mate for Firemouths, Jack Dempsey’s and Convicts. If you’re looking for something a little more rare or unique, but also sticking to the Central American theme, try out the Nicaraguan cichlid.

3. Rainbow Cichlid

Similarly, the Rainbow cichlid does not get enough love in the hobby today. The rainbow stays relatively small at around 5-6 inches, and they are another central American cichlid. If I had to choose a core group of smaller central American cichlids together, I would pick the Rainbow, Nicaraguan, Convict, Jack Dempsey, and Firemouth. There’s a great mix of colors in that group, similar tank requirements, temperaments, and sizes. I would say the Rainbow is typically on the more peaceful end of these cichlids but can also hold their own in most cases. It’s a great choice.

2. Convict Cichlid

The convict cichlid is a great option as a tank mate for many reasons. First, it’s a central American cichlid so it shares similar tank setup and parameters as the Firemouth. It also stays on the smaller end for a cichlid, so you don’t need a massive tank. Convicts can be feisty at times, and they really tend to fight off larger cichlids. But if you have a tank large enough for territories, such as a 55 gallon, the Convict and Firemouth will usually get along great. Convicts are extremely hardy fish so they make for a great beginner option. Just be careful if you have more than one, as they will breed frequently and become much more aggressive when doing so. I usually like to keep a solo female, as they’ll have a bit more color along their side, and won’t be as aggressive. And if you have a 75 gallon or larger, your options for more tank mates really open up, including number one on the list.

1. Jack Dempsey Cichlid

This probably didn’t come as a surprise, but the Jack Dempsey is our top choice for a tank mate for the Firemouth. It’s another central American cichlid that has incredible coloration as it matures, especially if you have darker substrate. Just like Convicts, Jack Dempsey’s can be aggressive, but usually will be just fine with Firemouths. I really like the trio of Jacks, Convicts, and Firemouths because they are Central American with relatively similar temperaments. If you have a 75 gallon or larger, this mix, along with maybe a Salvini, Rainbow, or Nicaraguan cichlid could be a great choice. The Jack Dempsey is my personal favorite cichlid, so anytime you can keep them in any setup, is a win for me. Give it a try and you won’t be disappointed.

Summary

There are many great tank mate options for the Firemouth Cichlid, and if you can get it right, it’s one of the most rewarding cichlid tank setups out there. For more information on the care of the Firemouth specifically, see our full overview here: https://youtu.be/8JCNlPOUZnI

Firemouth Care Guide:

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Geophagus sveni are South American cichlids and are native to the rivers of Brazil. The sveni is a type of Geophagus, which translates to “earth eater”, and they will display some interesting behavior in your aquarium. Like most Geophagus species, they’ll sift through the sand or substrate constantly looking for left over food.

One of the first things that stands out about the Geophagus sveni is the coloration. They are arguably the most beautiful of all the geophagus species, with bright blue and red through their bodies, tall spiked dorsal fins, and long filamentous fin extensions. All of this combined make them a showstopper in any tank, and definitely worthy of being a centerpiece fish.

Similar to other Geophagus species, they can be slower growers relative to other cichlids, but if you’re patient and let these fish grow into adults, there isn’t much that can top them. As full-grown adults, they’ll usually max out around 10 inches, with some topping out a bit smaller.

Tank Size

Due to their medium to large max size, I would recommend a decent sized tank as well. I wouldn’t recommend keeping adult sveni in anything less than a 75 gallon tank. You may be able to keep sveni in a slightly smaller tank as they are growing out, but once they hit that 6-7 inch range, you really need a 75 gallon or larger. That’s what I currently have my group in, but I also have a larger tank order processing, and they’ll be getting an upgraded tank size in about a month.

My largest sveni is about 5-6 inches, so my sveni still have a lot of room to grow, along with getting some larger fin extensions.

Keeping Geophagus sveni in groups can help avoid some aggression between each other, and I’ve found that you’ll have the best luck keeping them solo, in pairs, or in groups of 5 or more. It can be hard to manage them if you have 2 males and 1 female for example, as the males will likely fight. Sveni are usually one of the more peaceful Geophagus, but like any cichlid, there could always be an outlier where you one that is aggressive. Keeping the appropriate male to female ratio and a larger tank will give the best chances of success with them.

Water Parameters

Since Geophagus sveni are South American cichlids, they’re ideal tank parameters are going to be in lower PH and softer water, along with tropical temps. For PH, anywhere from 6-7 is ideal, while temps can range from the mid-70s to lower 80s. I actually have hard water and high PH in my area and the sveni have done just fine and are growing and healthy. In my opinion, if you keep consistent water parameters in a cycled tank with regular water changes, and keeping nitrates level low, the sveni should do great long term even if they aren’t in the ideal PH/hardness levels.

Tank Setup

As mentioned, Geophagus sveni are sand sifters, so a sand substrate is highly recommended. Gravel could potentially damage the sveni gills, so just keep that in mind. The ideal setup for the sveni would include sand, with some driftwood and rocks. They can do well with live plants if they are firmly planted or tied down. They usually won’t eat the plants, but they will dig and move the substrate around, which could uproot some plants.

Tank Mates

Given the tank size, tank setup, and temperament, here are some tank mate options for the Geophagus sveni. The Severum is one of my favorite combinations for the sveni since they share many requirements and aren’t overly aggressive for their size. They also can compliment the sveni well with a few different color variations. Another great choice is the Electric Blue Acara. Sveni, Severums and Electric Blue Acaras make for a great trio of tank mates, with a variety of colors, behaviors and body shapes.

The sveni can also mix with some other species of Geophagus. Geo Tapajos would likely be a good mix, along with Steindachneri, Brasiliensis, and Winemelleri potentially working as well. The Satanoperca jurupari and Threadfin acara would be great choices with the Sveni.

Overall, with cichlid tank mates, I would just recommend other American cichlids that don’t get too aggressive. It would be a shame if the sveni had aggressive tank mates nipping at their fins.

For non-cichlids, the Bala shark would be a great tank mate if the tank is large, silver dollars would be great, and Roseline sharks would work well – all of which would provide some activity to the upper and mid-level of the tank. Smaller tetras like neons and cardinals might not work with adult geos, but some slightly larger barbs and tetras would likely do well, such as the Columbian tetra or the Buenos Aires tetra. These will also add a unique dimension to the tank with some shoaling behavior and movement.

Feeding / Diet

When it comes to feeding, Geophagus sveni will readily accept most foods. I haven’t really seen them be picky eaters, and a variety of foods are recommended. The recommended diet for Geophagus sveni is a high-quality pellet, flake food, and occasional frozen food, such as brine shrimp or bloodworms. Sveni will do best with smaller sized pellets. I use Xtreme pellets since they sink fairly quick and the sveni will eat some out of the water column and the rest off the sand.

Breeding

Breeding Geophagus sveni is similar to other Geophagus species. They will pair off and the female will lay eggs on a flat surface, such as a slate rock, or they will dig out an area of the substrate and lay the eggs on the bottom of the tank. Males and females will both have great color and fin extensions usually, so it can be hard to tell the difference until the female is ready to lay the eggs.

Summary

Overall, the Geophagus sveni is one my favorite cichlids, which has amazing coloration, peaceful temperament, and interesting sand sifting behavior. As long as you provide a good-sized tank, a sand substrate, and tank mates that won’t bully or nip at them, the Geophagus is relatively easy to care for. I would highly recommend these for anyone looking into South American cichlids.

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10. Jack Dempsey

One of our all time favorite cichlids is the Jack Dempsey (Rocio octofasciata). I currently have “Jack” in my 75 gallon tank in my classroom, along with one of his offspring in another tank. Jack was the first cichlid I ever owned, and it’s what made me obsessed with cichlid keeping. Jack Dempsey cichlids are one of the hardiest cichlids you will ever find. I inherited and rescued Jack from a teacher who had passed away and his tank was extremely dirty. I fixed up his tank all those years ago and now he’s an awesome colorful adult. I really don’t know what other fish could’ve made it through that situation, but I’m glad Jack did. Jack Dempsey cichlids are Central American cichlids that can usually do well in a tank with similarly sized American cichlids and some of the larger barbs and tetras. The main reason Jack Dempsey’s are number 10 on the list, and not higher, is that some of them can be aggressive. It can be a little bit of challenge to manage that aggression if you’re new to cichlids, but most Jack Dempsey’s we’ve had have actually been pretty docile. I would recommend a 75 gallon tank or larger for an adult; however, some juveniles can be kept in smaller tanks as they grow out.

9. Sciaenochromis Fryeri (Electric Blue Hap)

Coming in at number 9 on the list is the Sciaenochromis Fryeri, the electric blue hap. I have one in my 125 gallon lake Malawi hap tank, and although he’s smaller than the rest of the Lake Malawi haps in the tank, he holds his own. They are great for beginners due to their compatibility with a lot of different African cichlid setups. They can hold their own with bigger predatory haps , and they can also work with some peacocks and even mbuna in the right situation. The males also have bright blue colors at a young age, so you get to see that awesome pop of color right away, while some other African cichlids might take awhile to color up fully. Although they stay about 6-7 inches in max length, I would recommend a 75 gallon tank at a minimum as they are open water swimmers. Due their wide range of tank mates and awesome bright color, the Sciaenochromis Fryeri is a great option for beginners looking into African cichlids.

8. Kribensis Cichlid

Number 8 on the list is the Kribensis cichlid. Kribensis cichlids are often available at the big box stores like Petco and PetSmart, and they are good options for beginners due to their smaller size, great colors, and peaceful nature for a cichlid.

Kribensis cichlids can go well in most community setups and are usually docile in comparison to other cichlids. Tank size can also be relatively modest at around 30-40 gallons being sufficient, and they usually be kept in planted aquariums without issues.

Kribensis cichlids are actually African cichlids; however, they do not originate from the rift lakes like many others. Kribensis come from west African river systems, so they aren’t really categorized or even similar to mbuna, peacocks and haps. Due to this, they can be kept in softer water with lower PH than most rift lake African cichlids. The river systems also have more plants, driftwood, and rocks than you would typically find in the large lakes in Africa, and I would recommend mimicking this environment in your aquarium as much as possible.

Kribensis cichlids also have great color, with blue, purple, reds and yellows throughout, making them a popular choice for many beginner aquarist.

Overall, Kribensis cichlids are a good choice if you are looking for a smaller community cichlid with great color and a mild temperament.

7. Apistogramma

One of my favorite cichlids is the Apistogramma. There are many different types of Apistogramma, which can come in a ton of varieties and with a wide range of colors. Since they stay small at (topping out around 3 inches), they are perfect for beginners due to a tank size. Apistogramma can comfortably fit in a 20 gallon tank. They are also peaceful and can go with most community fish. In fact, they were our top choice on our list for Top 10 Community Cichlids. I have a Apistogramma macmasteri, he’s been an awesome centerpiece for a smaller tank. Apistogramma are South American cichilds, so they do best in softer water with a lower PH. Totally recommend the Apistogramma species for beginners and experts alike.

6. Yellow Tail Acei

One of the best options for beginners looking to keep African cichlids is the Yellow Tail Acei (Pseudotropheus acei). In general, mbuna cichlids are aggressive and are typically placed in overstocked tanks to mitigate that aggression. However, one of the more peaceful mbuna cichlids is the Yellow Tail Acei. They have blueish purple in their body and a bright yellow tail, which makes them stand out in a tank. I used to have a few in my mbuna tank a few years back and they were one of my favorites in the tank due to their color and relatively peaceful nature. I would recommend keeping them with other mbuna in a 55 gallon tank or larger, and they will usually do really well and not cause too many problems with aggression.

5. Severum Cichlid

Another one of my all time favorite cichlids is the Severum cichlid. I currently have 3 in my 180 gallon aquarium. I love the Severum due to its many color variations and peaceful nature. They really are gentle giants, and most of the time will just slowly float around in the tank. They seem to be very smart and size me up, always wanting more food. Severums are very curious fish and have a great personality. My single favorite fish I’ve ever kept is “Big Red”. He’s a red spot gold Severum, or sometimes just a called a Gold Severum. He’s been such a great tank mate over the years for many different South American cichlids, including Geophagus species, Electric Blue Acaras, and a Chocolate cichlid. The great thing about Severums is that they can hold their own against larger tank mates but also go well with smaller fish since they have small mouths and are relatively peaceful cichlids. Severums are very hardy cichlids as well, making them perfect for beginners. They do get large though, so I would recommend a 55 gallon tank at minimum, but a 75 gallon or greater would really be ideal for an adult with tank mates. Overall, the Severum is a great cichlid to keep and I highly recommend them for anyone.

4. Electric Blue Acara

A great choice for any beginner is the Electric Blue Acara. They have bright blue colors, and they have that at a young age and throughout adulthood. The pop of color looks amazing when you have a community aquarium. Electric Blue Acaras do well with a lot of other American cichlids, so they can work out for many different setups. From as big to the Oscar to as small as a keyhole cichlid, they have a large range of compatibility with other cichlids. They really hold their own against some of the more aggressive fish out there as well. The Electric Blue Acara maxes out around 6-7 inches in length, so you don’t need a massive tank to keep them. They are pretty active swimmers though, so I would recommend a 55 gallon or larger. My Electric Blue Acaras swim back and forth all day and provides a lot of activity to the tank, along with that pop of bright blue color. Electric blue acara are relatively hardy as well, not to be confused with the Electric Blue Jack Dempsey, which has a reputation of being difficult to keep. I will always have at least one Electric Blue Acara in my aquariums as they are simply the best.

3. Yellow Labs

The Yellow Lab (Labidochromis caeruleus) is maybe the most peaceful of all mbuna species. Due to this peaceful nature, they are great options for a beginner getting into African cichlids. The Yellow Lab would do well in a tank with other mbuna, in a tank with many rocks and caves for them to swim through and hide from others. They can go well with the Yellow Tail Acei, as mentioned earlier, as well as many of the other mbuna species. The Yellow Lab has bright yellow coloration with some black trim on their fins. They standout and look great with other African cichlids, and I would highly recommend them for any mbuna tank setup.

2. Firemouth Cichlid

The Firemouth cichlid (Thorichthys meeki) is a staple of the aquarium hobby, and one of the most colorful species to keep. The Firemouth cichlid is a Central American cichlid that stays medium in size, so they don’t require a massive aquarium. They are usually semi-aggressive, so they are compatible with many other cichlids and community fish. Firemouth cichlids may pick off smaller tetras or barbs once they are adults, but it can sometimes work well.

Firemouth cichlids are relatively hardy fish and they are very easy to breed, making them ideal for beginners. I would recommend a tank size of at least 40 gallons for one Firemouth, with some sand, driftwood, and rocks throughout their tank.

The coloration on the Firemouth is another reason they are great for most tanks, as they have bright red along their bottom and dark grey bodies. They will also develop some blue spangling along their fins as they grow into adults. A great fish to keep due to their tank size, temperament, and coloration.

1. Convict Cichlid

The Convict cichlid is one of the most beginner friendly choices of all cichlids. Convicts are extremely hardy fish that can hold their own with a variety of tank mates, and they stay relatively small so they do not require a massive tank.

Convicts can withstand many beginner level mistakes and survive when many other fish would not. Obviously, it is best to provide appropriate care and make sure the Convict is in a happy, healthy environment, but for a beginner, Convicts are a great choice in this regard.

Convict cichlids can also work in many tank setups with a variety of tank mates. Because they are so feisty and pack a punch for a small fish, they can actually do well with larger cichlid species like the Green Terror, Jack Dempsey, or even the Oscar.

Convicts can also do just fine in “smaller” aquariums, with a recommended tank size of 30+ gallons. If you’re going to have tank mates, I would recommend a 40 gallon or larger.

Overall, Convicts are a great cichlid with unique coloration and personality, and due to their hardy nature, they would do very well for the beginner aquarist.

The post Top 10 Best Cichlid Species For Beginners appeared first on Cichlid Bros.

Males will stay a bit more yellowish orange, and will also develop a nuchal hump. Males also have spotting or spangling on their dorsal and caudal fins, while the females do not. The males can reach up to 9-10 inches in length, while the females stay about 7 inches in max length.

Tank Setup

Due to their size, I would recommend keeping them in a 55 gallon tank or larger. If you’re going to have tank mates, I would say a 75 gallon minimum. They should really be kept alone, in pairs, or with similar sized central and south American cichlids.

Tank Mates

Some tank mate options that I would recommend with a large enough tank would be the Jack Dempsey, Firemouth cichlid, Convict cichlid, the Green Terror cichlid could possibly work, rainbow cichlids would be great options. A few South American cichlids would work well including the Severum, the Uaru, and even some larger tetras or barbs. I would stay away from any small community fish like neon or cardinal tetras, as they would likely be eaten eventually.

Because of the compatibility with some common cichlids like the Jack Dempsey and Convict, along with its great color and temperament, I’m surprised the macaw is not more popular or widespread in the hobby today.

When it comes to temperament I would label them somewhere between peaceful and semi aggressive.

Like most cichlids, Nicaraguan cichlids can be territorial. Nicaraguans cichlids especially seem to defend one area of the tank as theirs, but as long as you have a large enough tank, it shouldn’t be an issue.

Breeding

They will usually get more aggressive when breeding, and this territorial behavior will usually increase. Nicaraguans are pit spawners, meaning they will lay eggs in a small pit or hole. Another interesting fact about them, is that their eggs are non-adhesive, which means they won’t stick eggs up against décor or glass.

In the wild, they dig large pits out of the sand and river banks to lay the eggs. Due to this, they will definitely dig up mounds of sand in your tank. I’m constantly leveling out my sand in this tank so that she’s not piling up a huge mound up to my heater or filter.

Tank Setup

For the tank setup, I would recommend sand, driftwood, and rocks, giving them plenty of hiding spots and area to claim as their territory. Some live plants will be okay, but they will eat or nibble at plants on occasion.

When it comes to water parameters, they do well in wide range of PH around 6-8, alkaline water and tropical temps. This mimics their natural habitat in Central America, although I wouldn’t recommend chasing parameters and rather keeping things consistent and they’ll do just fine.

Their diet is pretty straightforward – they are omnimores and will readily accepts flakes, pellets and its always good to mix in some frozen foods on occasion.

Summary

Nicaraguan cichlids are very hardy, but as always, try to give them the best care as possible – and if you follow some of the details in this post, they’ll be a great cichlid for you to keep. I highly recommend them!

The post Nicaraguan Cichlid Care Guide & Species Profile appeared first on Cichlid Bros.

Males will usually get longer trailers to their dorsal fins, making them fairly easy to identify when they’re mature enough, but it might be a bit difficult to distinguish between juveniles. 

Firemouth cichlids are very common in the hobby today, as they are readily available in most big box stores like petsmart and petco. Usually they’re on sale when they’re only an inch or two in length, but they can grow to up to 6-7 inches for males and 5-6 inches for females.

Tank Parameters

Firemouth cichlids are from Central America, so their ideal water parameters are roughly 75-82 degrees, 6.5 to 8.0 pH and relatively hard water. We usually recommend keeping your normal parameters consistent rather than chasing numbers, as the fluctuations seem to do more harm than good. And besides, most of these cichlids are tank bred and have adapted to your local water parameters. They are relatively hardy cichlids, but just make sure you have consistent water parameters and keep up with your water changes. I aim to keep nitrates below 20 to 40 parts per million, which keeps the firemouth cichlid happy and healthy.

Tank Setup

Because they are from Central America and found in rivers and streams, an ideal tank setup would have some driftwood, rocks and sand. Some plants could also work with them. The firemouth loves to have a territory to have as their own, so plenty of hiding places are recommended. Males will actually flare up their gills when staking their territory, but overall they aren’t super aggressive.
There’s some debate on this, but in our experience Firemouths are not too aggressive if they have a large enough tank and hiding spots.

I’d recommend a 40 gallon tank or larger when it comes to tank size. A 40 breeder with a pair would be a cool setup. But if you have a 55 gallon or larger, they could potentially fit with some other tank mates.

Tank Mates

For cichlid tank mates, I’d recommend similar sized Central or South American cichlids. A few Central American options are the Jack Dempsey, the Convict cichlid, the Nicaraguan cichlid, the Rainbow cichlid, or even the Salvini cichlid if the tank size is large enough. For South Americans, Green Terrors would work well in most cases.

The Severum cichlid would be a great choice, as well as the electric blue acara, and many of the Geophagus species would work. Some larger tetras like the Columbian tetra or Denison barbs would be great tank mates. Silver dollars would be a great dither option to bring a Firemouth cichlid out of its territory more. Plecos make a great choice as well.

For feeding, high quality flakes and pellets will be great for them, but occasionally frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp would round out their diet.

Firemouth cichlids are very easy to breed, which is another reason they are so common. All you need is a male and female, and some flat surfaces for them to lay eggs. The eggs are adhesive and will hatch in a few days if the male fertilizes. 

Firemouth cichlids have a few similar species and color variations that are somewhat rare, like the Lemon or yellow Firemouth, or a similar species: the Elloti cichlid. However, the Firemouth gets more deep red color and less spotting along their bodies, so its usually easy to tell the difference.

Summary

Overall, the Firemouth cichlid is one of my all time favorite fish in the hobby. It’s an awesome choice for a beginner getting into cichlids, they don’t get too aggressive or require a massive tank, and their coloration is incredible. I’d highly recommend them to others, and I think I’ll always have one myself.

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