Perfectly safe dithers for a super timid firemouth? 36 vs 65

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
C

cideon

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 16, 2011
82
0
6
west texas
My firemouth is the most scaredy cat kind of fish I've ever owned. Even my severum eventually started being more visual, once he got a big older. But this firemouth hides 24-7, and doesn't even flit between his several hiding spots, he just stays in one spot under some driftwood. He is in a 65, which feels wasteful in that he doesn't move, so what are some dithers I can put a plentiful amount in that he should be able to deal with? At the least not to scare him into stressing out more, even if he doesn't come out. I'd be happy just having a tank that doesn't look empty :/

I do have a 36 as well, so I'm wondering if I could move him over there, either alone or with a few dithers (I dunno, could I use neon tetras or something else compact?). I keep seeing minimum tanks for a pair of firemouths, but never really recommendations for just a lone guy. Even alone, this feels like a better solution because I could use my 65 to a better potential, but I'll take recommendations for peaceful buddies in that tank if it just wouldn't work.
 
^ Agreed. I've had a group of Crenicara punctulatum for a year in a 55 and I never see them. Occasionally if I peek in the door they're out and about, but the second I walk into a room they disappear. Last night I took out all the big stumps they were hiding in, replaced it with some branchy driftwood to open up the tank a bit, and added about 50 Endler's livebearers and a trio of Apistogramma cacatuoides. Within an hour they were actually out foraging for food with me in the room. They're still skittish when I move, but it's a big step forward.

I think as long as you have tetras that are brave and active without being aggressive or jumpy, the firemouth will come around. I really love Congo tetras but the ones Jon listed will work, too. Lemons and serpaes are also nice looking fish that are fairly deep-bodied, so a smaller firemouth probably wouldn't eat those very easily. You could probably also use things like large danios.
 
I think it would be fine. I keep a pair of astahero longimanus in a 40 breeder with a school of lemon tetras without issues. Before I added the tetras, I never saw the longimanus. Now they are out and about and are working on thier second successful spawn.
 
When you have just 1 or 2 or 3 cichlids - this is normal - adding more cichlids, or other fish, will help a lot.
Bulkier tetras, or larger danios, rainbows, medium size barbs, that kind of thing.

Even gouramis, etc.
 
Without a doubt, firemouths have to have been the most unintelligent, timid fish I have kept. Even in large tanks mine tended to behave as yours is, but would also challenge other fish then get beaten up needlessly.

That and the colours have been bred out of them where ive seen them, so that for me they have no appeal whatsoever.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
So Convicts are more colourful and more intelligent and more characterful than Firemouths???? You must know your cichlids hey?:confused:



convict360 said:
Without a doubt, firemouths have to have been the most unintelligent, timid fish I have kept. Even in large tanks mine tended to behave as yours is, but would also challenge other fish then get beaten up needlessly.

That and the colours have been bred out of them where ive seen them, so that for me they have no appeal whatsoever.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Click to expand...
 
Firemouths are at there best in groups of 6 or more.. They flare up at each other (gills extended), display, dance and show their best colours.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom