Firemouth Tankmates

[dixaisy930]

Now that my firemouth and krib have finally worked things out (the krib no longer chases him around the tank, and the krib is no long hiding in the plants most of the day) I'd like to add a few more fish to the tank. (Disclaimer: This is currently a community tank, with no signs of aggression from the firemouth . I am aware of the possiblity that it may become aggressive when it gets older, and will take the appropriate actions if this occures).

My main concern is getting fish the firemouth won't be able to eat once it is full grown. Fish I am currently considering are paradise gourami, von rio tetras (my biggest concern), cories (ones that will eventually reach 2-3 inchs), kuhli loaches, odessa barbs, and gold barbs. I'm not planning on adding all of these, just picking a few from these choices. Besides possibly being lunch for the firemouth, are there any other concerns I should consider?

What is the smallest fish I'd be able to keep with a full-grown firemouth?

The firemouth is about 1.5 - 2 inches. How fast do they grown, and how soon will he reach full size?

P.S. Tank is 65 gallons.

 

[Jason_S]

Firemouth should reach full size in about 2 years time assuming proper diet and water quality requirements are met.

In a 65 gallon I'd look to add a nice sized group of platys and a large school of cories (ones that get 2-3" as you were already planning on). Platys and other livebearers are found alongside firemouths and other Thorichthys in nature so these fish have decades of experience living together. Granted the platys and firemouths that you'll have would have never seen their natural habitat being they're farm raised but still they should get along just fine.

If you're against the platys then most species of barb would probably work or any larger species of tetra. By larger species I mean no neons, cardinals etc. Any of the skirt tetras, lemon tetras, bleeding hearts, serpaes etc. should be fine. B)

 

[dixaisy930]

That's so funny you said that about the platys...I have 4 adults in there, and he does seem to hang aroung them quite a bit. They must remind him of his fishy-heritage.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

or lunch...