How many FMs for a 55g?

[Chicklette]

I would go with six, that tank will be really nice. I love firemouths too.

 

[HybridGS]

4 maximum, and that is pushing it, they hit a body size of 7" easily due to the long snout....add the fins, your looking at 9".

 

[Jason_S]

WOW - reading the begining of this thread would suggest Firemouths Shoal, this a complete misconception, they are very aggessive, most esp. to their own kind. 55 gal 1 Male, 1 Female for life if your lucky.

Firemouths and other Thorichthys can and do often form colonies in the wild. Yes, a 55 gallon tank is not the same situation as what they experience in the wild but it also happens in tanks all the time. I'm not saying now nor did I ever say that this would happen for this person. I suggested getting 8 juveniles since the OP suggested that he would monitor aggression and reduce the numbers as necessary. He may only be able to keep one pair but I think there's definitely the possibility he could keep 2 or possibly 3 pairs, all just depending on how they get along.

You are correct in that they do not shoal and (without rereading the entire thread) I don't think anyone suggested they do...but pairs do often form territories in close proximity to one another and the pairs will team up to defend the overall territory if a larger predator comes along.

 

[Jason_S]

4 maximum, and that is pushing it, they hit a body size of 7" easily due to the long snout....add the fins, your looking at 9".

What??? Has anyone on here EVER seen a confirmed 9" TL firemouth?

 

[HybridGS]

What??? Has anyone on here EVER seen a confirmed 9" TL firemouth?

I had a 8" TL in the past that i grew up over 2 years.

 

[ibz_rg]

Thus far I haven't sensed a single bit of aggression. Not even when feeding. Like I said, I will be monitoring this tank very intently as it is the centerpiece to my living room. Any major aggression will be taken care of.

Also, 9" FM? Pics or it didn't happen.

 

[Otherone]

Firemouths and other Thorichthys can and do often form colonies in the wild. Yes, a 55 gallon tank is not the same situation as what they experience in the wild but it also happens in tanks all the time. I'm not saying now nor did I ever say that this would happen for this person. I suggested getting 8 juveniles since the OP suggested that he would monitor aggression and reduce the numbers as necessary. He may only be able to keep one pair but I think there's definitely the possibility he could keep 2 or possibly 3 pairs, all just depending on how they get along.

You are correct in that they do not shoal and (without rereading the entire thread) I don't think anyone suggested they do...but pairs do often form territories in close proximity to one another and the pairs will team up to defend the overall territory if a larger predator comes along.

Wasn't accussing any one person and I appreciate both your knowkedge and observations - I was just set back at the numbers being thrown around - reminded me of Red Belly Piranha or Exodon numbers not something I'd expect to hear relating to an aggressive cichlid
species. My experience however was quite the opposite - 4 in 75gal. down to 1 Dom.Male.

 

[Younglin]

FM are one of least aggressive cichlids. Still aggressive, but much less so then other cichlids. Should be fine as long as you watch for aggression like you said you would.

 

[Bderick67]

If you get a pair to form and breed, they will make life miserable for the rest in the tank. I was able to do two pairs in a 55g, but that only worked if both pairs were rearing young at the same time. If one pair was not they would chase the other pair to death.

4 maximum, and that is pushing it, they hit a body size of 7" easily due to the long snout....add the fins, your looking at 9".

I know you have no pics of this since it is pure nonsense.

 

[Jason_S]

Wasn't accussing any one person and I appreciate both your knowkedge and observations - I was just set back at the numbers being thrown around - reminded me of Red Belly Piranha or Exodon numbers not something I'd expect to hear relating to an aggressive cichlid
species. My experience however was quite the opposite - 4 in 75gal. down to 1 Dom.Male.

Oh yeah I know you weren't accusing anyone in particular. I was merely giving explanation for my response. I have seen setups work the way that I described but I know that it's not going to work the same for everyone. As we all know, there are no 'rules' when it comes to keeping cichlids. OP's setup may very well not work out but he'll never know if he doesn't try. And since he realizes that the potential is there for problems to arise and is prepared to take action at the first sign of problems, I don't have a problem suggesting the experiment.

Heck i've tried things that I would never recommend to someone else and I've had some successes and some failures. I shudder to think what the response would be if I listed the current stock of my 75 gallon. lol