That is an excellent tank. I don't comment on that a lot as there usually isn't a lot to say and no one else wants to read 20 people saying the same thing. It is so nice to see someone value the firemouths as they are. It is so sad when we get caught up in this fish isn't "worth anything" or "rare enough". I think they are one of the most under appreciated fish out there. LFS fish come from the Florida farms. I know everyone talks bad about them, but IME they grow out into very nice specimens if you are patient. I thinkToiletcar 's fish are right in line with what to expect, but I have seen them grow up even brighter. He also made a great choice with the swords.
I kept jungle val with them and had no problems, but I did cover the roots with larger rocks to get them established. Once they settled in and let runners go they didn't seem to need the rocks.
Thank you FLA, I appreciate the reply. The Firemouth had a long history in the hobby, I'm glad they haven't disappeared and are relatively easy to find still-unlike the regular (non-electric) blue acara. There are a few threads I've drawn from here in this forum that celebrate the Thoricthys group, Stanzzz 2 threads in the stickies has provided huge inspiration, and another user (I think Firemouthgem?) have created the template I'm following (limited species, but in greater numbers) for a more naturalistic aquarium. In the age of facebook groups and reddit, I'm glad there's a forum with hardcore hobbyists plugging away here. MFK has provided some invaluable insight and tidbits that I might have taken years and years to gather on my own.
