125G: Firemouth Tank Suggestions

[FIU Panther]

It’s been a few months since I shut my tanks down prior to my move and am almost done setting up my office and my 125g tank.

I was thinking of making a Firemouth/Swordtail tank. I saw that The Wet Spot has Firemouths in the 3-5” range and Neon Swordtail trios. I feel like it’ll have a good amount of activity and interesting behavior.

My thoughts were to get 6-10 Firemouths and 3 trios of Neon swordtails.

I’ve seen Firemouths and Swordtails suggested before so I’m hoping the Firemouths will leave the Swordtails alone.

The substrate will be pool filter sand, with a few river rocks and a large piece of Malaysian drift wood in a corner.

Any smaller or mid size cichlid to occupy the mid water area?

Or any other stocking suggestions?

 

[Covetous]

Cichlids don’t reall occupy water areas, I’ve seen people say this over and over. This fish will stay here and this fish will stay there. However, this is almost never the case with cichlids, at least in my experience. I think the tank as you described it will be great. I’m a fan of thorichyths, and they work well with swordtails. Once they are full grown it’s gonna fill the tank out great. I’ve seen 8 inch Meeki before. They get bigger then a lot of people think. If your worried about not enough activity then I’d add a few more of the swords or Meeki.

But 10 8 inch fish will definitely fill out a 125, update us with pics when you get her up. Good luck

 

[Gourami Swami]

I agree, the firemouths will be all over the tank, and will occupy all of the zones. They also work great with swordtails, and they occupy the same regions in mexico and CA naturally. Your choice of décor sounds spot on. Make sure you post pictures when you set this up, sounds like a great tank.

 

[TheWolfman]

I would consider using plants and possibly some planted substrate if you are. Thats a nice tank for those fish you discribed.

 

[Toiletcar]

I think starting w/ 10 would be fine. You might just end up w/ pairs. But if you want another cichlid species, also consider pasionis. Maybe start out w/ 5 meeki and 5 pasionis. I have both in my 150g which is essentially the same as a 125g. I got my pasionis from The Wet Spot, and they are very healthy. The species really look good together and are found together in the wild.

 

[Covetous]

I think starting w/ 10 would be fine. You might just end up w/ pairs. But if you want another cichlid species, also consider pasionis. Maybe start out w/ 5 meeki and 5 pasionis. I have both in my 150g which is essentially the same as a 125g. I got my pasionis from The Wet Spot, and they are very healthy. The species really look good together and are found together in the wild.

View attachment 1318737 View attachment 1318738 View attachment 1318739 View attachment 1318740 View attachment 1318741 View attachment 1318742 View attachment 1318743

You’ve definitely got some of my favorite Meeki around. I think this every time I see your posts lol

 

[Toiletcar]

You’ve definitely got some of my favorite Meeki around. I think this every time I see your posts lol

Thanks. Down to 2, I sold 2 others. The two I have came from the same place, but their colors are slightly different. One is grey (normal color) and the other is yellowish.

OP: also consider cribroheros robertsoni. They do very well w/ meeki. They get a bit bigger 8”+. Beautiful fish, and active. They’ll chase you down if they think you have food lol. I had one very large female and have 2 juvis from The Wet Spot.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Sounds like a great tank in the making.
I've had lots of thorichthys tanks over the years and they still remain a firm favourite.
If it were me I would stock about 12 thorichthys. Only the males will get 6 to 8 inches. Most shop bought meeki won't get that big anyway. Females remain smaller.
In the wild, thorichthys meeki can be found living alongside pasionis and helleri,particularly in the catazaja area of Mexico. Both of these thorichthys make good tank mates for meeki.
Some of my helleri below.

 

[Toiletcar]

Sounds like a great tank in the making.
I've had lots of thorichthys tanks over the years and they still remain a firm favourite.
If it were me I would stock about 12 thorichthys. Only the males will get 6 to 8 inches. Most shop bought meeki won't get that big anyway. Females remain smaller.
In the wild, thorichthys meeki can be found living alongside pasionis and helleri,particularly in the catazaja area of Mexico. Both of these thorichthys make good tank mates for meeki.
Some of my helleri below.

View attachment 1318821

Always love seeing pic of your helleri.

I agree when it comes to thorichthys species, it’s good to be a little crowded as they live in groups in the wild. Meeki have a lot of attitude and in a group they are very entertaining w/ their little squabbles.

 

[RyanM]

Here is my 125g Meeki/heterospila tank:



Obviously my Meeki are still babies, but they have grown quite a bit since that picture from April. I agree with the comments about them being all over the tank. In fact, I would say mine spend most of their time in the middle to upper parts of the tank.