Firemouth...

[twodoctors]

I bought 2 Firemouths 2 weeks ago, a few days apart. They are both small, one 2 inches, one 1.5 inches. I thought the smaller one looked female. Anyway they never really got on. I tried separating them for a week, putting the bigger one in the small tank. Just put them back together and they are fighting again. Well, more like the bigger one chasing the smaller one. The bigger one is trying it on with my boesemani as well.

I think I'll have to bring at least one back, if not both. I would still love a cichlid though, but haven't had much luck so far. Should I return both and start again, it do you think the smaller (and currently mire timid) one will stay friendly with the rainbows when it gets bigger? Anything else you can suggest?

Adrian

 

[minnnt]

Such a shame mate! What was the firemouth like when you removed the other? I have had an Ellioti (same family) from littlemonkey and he is fully grown at probably around 5-6 inches and she said he was in with guppies etc and never bothered them. FM's are usually ok cichlids, it's just when they breed they become more aggressive as you would expect. Can you tell any difference between the fin shape or body shape? females should lack the elongated finnage of the males and have a deeper thicker body.

HTH, best of luck, David.

 

[Davo86]

tbh you would be better suited just having the one IMO, with two you will either have aggression between the two (as you are finding) or aggression from the pair to everything else,

IME with CA or SA cichlids, unless you are specifically wanting to breed them I would always stick with individual specimens

 

[twodoctors]

Thanks guys.

I would like to keep one. The bigger one has coloured up nicely with a flame red belly and finnage pointing to a male. The smaller one when I bought it had a squarer finnage, but since then is looking more and more like another male.

In general, is Firemouth an ok species for a "community tank" with similar sized fish? Not sure if he's just a bit more aggressive than normal. Or should I just bring them both back?

Adrian

 

[minnnt]

Me personally i would keep one but they're one of my favourite fish so i guess i am biased. lol. As mentioned, the previous owner of my ellioti kept him in with guppies and never had an issue so i should imagine he will be fine as long as he is the dominant fish with no other contenders to his crown.

 

[Davo86]

I would return the bully and keep the milder specimen,

Once a bully always a bully IME