Firemouth questions ??????????

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J

jordanhunt

Candiru
MFK Member
Sep 30, 2012
627
5
48
wisbech united kingdom
Hi all, I have a couple questions about my firemouth
Q1: how fast do they grow? Most of m fish are larger than him and I want him to catch up, he's about 2 inches now, how long until he reaches 4+ inches

Q2: do they HAVE to be kept in groups or pairs?, I only have one and I want to know if they are solo or a shoaling fish

Q3: will he get full size In a 3 foot by 1 foot by 18 inch tank?

Here's a pic of him, he's my fav fish :)
View attachment 838480


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I have 4 firemouths in my, 72" long, 125 g tank. They seem to stay together the majority of the time, they are a bit territorial and aggressive as well. Your tank is large enough for a pair only. They will grow to about 5", I got mine about a year ago and grew from 2" to around 3 1/2". I would not have any small fish in your tank for they will be eaten. Your firemouth will probably reach it's maximum length in a couple years.
 
Theyre relativly slow growers. They can be kept in groups with a large enough tank but ud be best with a solo. You can keep one happily in that tank


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Azedenkae said:
I would have thought that they'd prefer to shoal, as from what I've read on them they're highly social (get along well with fellow fms).
Click to expand...

In my experience the shoal breaks up into pairs that defend territories. I have four FM in a 210 gallon (along with other centrals) and that is exactly what has happened. The four don't mingle. Instead, the pairs spar at the border of their territories, but no real damage is done. Neither pair has shown an interest in breeding so far. I've had them for about a year and a half. In that time they've grown from about 1.5" to 4".
 
I tried a single fish and it didn't work.
Even at about 5cm it was really aggressive, and I ended up in taking it back to the lfs.

Apparently they like to be in groups - that way the squabble among themselves and leave the other fish alone.
 
Firemouths are at their best when in a pair (their colors shine brightest and their attitudes most impressive)... In groups you'll always end up with a dominant male that'll either attack and kill the others or pair off with one of them, depending on the size of tank... A large 6ft tank could house 2 pairs along with other species.

As for growth rates.... I can talk from experience rearing fry. I have a 10 month old Male Firemouth that is 5" long (hes a brute and nearly killed my Salvini)... My shop purchased specimens grew from 2" to 4" in 12 months, but they can be slow growers. You'll always get a better fish from your own fry if your rear them properly with the right foods and don't overcrowd them.... Farm raise shop purchased Firemouths are nearly always stunted and take a lot longer to grow out.
 
Cool... you should post pics of him. ;)
 
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