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:
