firemouth behaviour

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Meghan Young - 06 Jun 2005 04:48 GMT

Hello everyone,
I am a newbie with cichlids and was hoping for some help. The firemouth I
have does not do a lot...he sits on the bottom of the tank in his cave most
of the time. He doesn't even come out for food (flake)...he only eats what
drifts in to him. All levels are ok. Is this normal?

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Derek Benson - 06 Jun 2005 19:25 GMT

>Hello everyone,
>I am a newbie with cichlids and was hoping for some help. The firemouth I
>have does not do a lot...he sits on the bottom of the tank in his cave most
>of the time. He doesn't even come out for food (flake)...he only eats what
>drifts in to him. All levels are ok. Is this normal?

If you only have the one firemouth I think this behaviour can be
normal. What are the other fish in the tank? What size tank? What I
would suggest is that you acquire 2 more; if he has more of his own
kind he will stop being so meek and mild. Three is a good number of
these central american cichlids, if one wants to bully the other, it's
better that there are two to be chased around a bit instead of one
being chased constantly. You won't necessarily see anyone being
bullied, but you might.

-Derek

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Meghan Young - 06 Jun 2005 23:46 GMT

>>Hello everyone,
>>I am a newbie with cichlids and was hoping for some help. The firemouth I
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> -Derek

There is only one firemouth. I have a 30 gal tank and besides the
firemouth, I have a bumblebee, and electric yellow, and an algae eater. The
electric yellow chases everybody else but only when they invade his space.
The bumblebee and the firemouth often stay in the same hiding place
together. Maybe I've overcrowded the tank?
And I probably need to clarify...if the food doesn't go to the firemouth he
will eventually go to eat. He has a few other spots he likes...but he only
ventures out every couple of hours and he just sits in those spots too.
Perhaps I'm overreacting (I've been feeding these guys for awhile and he
better not die...fish are the only pets I'm allowed). The other three fish
in the tank are very active...could be expecting too much.
Any reassurance would be great.
Meghan

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Jim Anderson - 08 Jun 2005 01:16 GMT

> >>Hello everyone,
> >>I am a newbie with cichlids and was hoping for some help. The firemouth I
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
> Any reassurance would be great.
> Meghan

You should not mix South American and African Cichlids as they do not
'speak' the same language. When there is a conflict, the weaker one can
not tell the stronger one 'I give-up' and will be killed for not giving
submitting.

I kid you not.

Signature

Jim Anderson
( 8(|) To email me just pull my_finger

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Derek Benson - 09 Jun 2005 10:25 GMT

>There is only one firemouth. I have a 30 gal tank and besides the
>firemouth, I have a bumblebee, and electric yellow, and an algae eater. The
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>Any reassurance would be great.
>Meghan

I agree with the other two posters that the Malawi yellow doesn't mix
with the firemouth, or your other fish for that matter. The firemouth
is staying where he is to avoid the chasing from the other cichlid, so
the behavior is normal. The tank is not overcrowded, it would be best
if the electric yellow were removed.

-Derek

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MrHappy - 08 Jun 2005 21:42 GMT

Hi
The labidochromis caeruleus (electric yellow) is a rock face
living species from Lake Malawi ( they are called mbuna).The
live in extremely clean, hard alkaline water
Thorichthys meeki, the Firemouth comes from central; america -
they like soft neutral/slightly alkaline water.
An algae eater ....could be anything...keep a close eye on it
some things sold as algae eaters get really big

If the two cichlids are tank bread from near you, they are
probably used to your local water and will survive together.
If the Firemouth is a female she will be quieter thana male and
will grow to may be 5" a little bigger than the Lab. If it is a
male it will be twice as big
The Lab wants a rock wall with loads of caves and things, the
Firemouth likes caves plants and cover...not the same really
I think you need to sit back and get some books to check out
what you want in the tank and start again. Your local store will
usually part exchange any fish you return

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Pet Forum / Aquaria / Cichlids / June 2005

firemouth behaviour