firemouths?

[Fry]

A pair of Firemouths would do well in a 29 gallon.

The males generally get between 6-7"s, while the females grow to about 4-5"s.

A pH from 7-8.5 is acceptable, as long as it is consistant.

I would seriously consider a very find substrate, such as sand. My Firemouths LOVE excavating the sand looking for small particles of food. Plus they keep the sand loose, so there's no chance of anaerobic pockets.

A healthy full grown Firemouth is a sight to see. Their coloration is amazing!

I know Firemouths do a pretty good job of cleaning up food, but is there something cool that can clean up after them that they won't kill like a pictus cat, cory cats, or silver dollars? something that would go with them in a 29

I had a gorgeous firemouth who tore up a pleco .

 

[Slim2634]

my guppies just sit on the bottom and i dont know what to do, i think maybe one of the fish is picking on them? but if they start dying off im going to get a firemouth but i think im getting a job soon so i will be able to get my big tank soon. but how can you tell the difference between a male and a female? can someone post pictures of a male and a female because im looking to find a baby firemouth but right now i only want one until i get my big tank.

 

[veurruckte]

I know Firemouths do a pretty good job of cleaning up food, but is there something cool that can clean up after them that they won't kill like a pictus cat, cory cats, or silver dollars? something that would go with them in a 29

I had a gorgeous firemouth who tore up a pleco .

Firemouths are usually pretty timid until spawning time comes. So if you're planning on breeding them, I would say keep the tank to themselves. Otherwise they should do fine with any of the fish you listed as long at they're raised together (Preferably add the other fish first). Firemouths can be territorial. Sorry to hear about your pleco .

Edit:

Firemouths are difficult to sex when young, but there are several methods. Males are usually brighter, and more intensily colored. They also usually have a more elognated or pointed fin dorsal fin. Females are usually smaller, rounder, and darker.

Male: http://aquaticpredators.com/forums/uploads/post-20-1097309224.jpg

Female: http://www.myfishbox.com/members/f1/firemouth.jpg

Sorry, I couldn't higher quality pictures.

 

[StevePerry]

How would two Firemouths of the same sex get along? I had a single Firemouth (sex unknown) in my hundred gallon SA tank, and he was the most agresive fish in there.

 

[Slim2634]

i like the look of that female more, so i will look for one of that color.

 

[veurruckte]

How would two Firemouths of the same sex get along? I had a single Firemouth (sex unknown) in my hundred gallon SA tank, and he was the most agresive fish in there.

There would be some probably be some fighting between two males in a tank that size, but two females should get along fine. Both sexs look beautiful.

 

[Slim2634]

i will probably only add one firemouth, but i think i am getting the 180 so it will probably have
a firemouth
jack dempsey
maybe an oscar
texas cichlid (probably green)
severum
convict
any other possibilities? i dont want a bunch of really expensive fish either (probably 30-40 dollars max per fish)
but i want about 3 plecos and i was thinking a school of clown loaches? every fish in the tank will be introduced as babies and will all be the same size.

 

[Fry]

thanks, i've been in love with firemouths since i had that extraordinarily mean one, he puffed up his face at me every time i walked by and fought my finger for a couple minutes before feeding, it was the most responsive fish i've ever owned, more so than my oscar

 

[mssassysan2000]

A pair of Firemouths would do well in a 29 gallon.

The males generally get between 6-7"s, while the females grow to about 4-5"s.

A pH from 7-8.5 is acceptable, as long as it is consistant.

I would seriously consider a very find substrate, such as sand. My Firemouths LOVE excavating the sand looking for small particles of food. Plus they keep the sand loose, so there's no chance of anaerobic pockets.

A healthy full grown Firemouth is a sight to see. Their coloration is amazing!

 

[Slim2634]

thanks guys, i have had two more fish die and i have no clue why? they just sit on the bottom and the one that always does just died. but if they keep dying im just going to not get any fish until the tank is fully decorated how i want it. and im going to buy new filter media and some bio spira and cycle the tank again, because i dont want my firemouth to die. my dad wants me to get a firemouth but he doesnt want me to get rid of the fish i have, but i didnt want to either but it looks like they are getting rid of there selfs.