Firemouth

D

dkoernert

AC Members
Jul 16, 2009
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If I got a 1-1.5 inch Firemouth to add as my last fish in a community tank, would it be too aggressive, or would it be okay? I have been researching and am getting mixed opinions on their aggression. Every fish in the tank (excluding the neons) is 2+ inches. And if I cannot do a firemouth is there an even tempered South American that I could add? thanks

tank: 37g
Inhabitants:
5 Neons
2 Killis
1 dwarf gourami
pair of GBRs
pair of mickey mouse platies
3 aneus (sp) corys
 
I don't recommend a firemouth with your collection. There really are no even tempered cichlids that won't try to make a meal of one of your other fish.
 
I have 12 years experience with FireMouths, and in my opinion I've had them with Neon Tetras, and I've had them in a cichlid only environment. In both cases they did well without problems. In the Neon Tetra tank, they did rather well without harassing my Tetra school, however I kept them well fed, and had lots of plants for the tetras to hide in.

Better cichlids to mix with Neon Tetras would be a pair of Rams. My pair of German Blue Rams would awesome in the Tetra Tank and did far better than the FireMouths.
 
It is a heavily planted tank, and I already have a pair of German Blue Rams. The LFS I go to has some electric blue rams, but they are all females.
 
I've never had a problem with Firemouths in a community situation. They're not any more aggressive than an Angelfish. However if any tankmates are small enough to be swallowed whole they will of course disappear.
 
Well neon tetras are definitely small enough to be swallowed whole, everything else is way too big.
 
Just be careful because it will establish a large territory, most likely a corner of the tank. If it is a male, this will be an even bigger problem. The neons will not last long at all though. Like MySpace Mike said, keep it very well fed.
 
I went and got a juvie probably .75 inches, and Im just doing it on a trial right now. The male ram chased the FM around the tank when he went in, but it seems all good now. The FM has his little corner, and if he gets overly aggressive I will pull him out.
 
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