Firemouth cichlid (Thorichthys meeki) fish species and information / pictures of Firemouth cichlid - Thorichthys meeki

Firemouth cichlid (Thorichthys meeki) fish species information

Scientific Name
Thorichthys meeki

Common Name
Firemouth cichlid

Biology
Prefers lower and middle sections of rivers in slow moving waters (Ref. 7335). Lives in mud-bottomed and sand-bottomed canals and rocky ponds (Ref. 5723). Stays close to the shoreline vegetation for protection (Ref. 44091). Omnivorous, but feeds mainly on algae (Ref. 6466). Used in behavioral studies (Ref. 4537). Aquarium keeping: minimum aquarium size 100 cm (Ref. 51539).

Classification

Classified By
Brind, 1918
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Cichlids (Cichlidae)

Distribution

Region
Central America
Distribution
Central America: Atlantic slope, in the Usumacinta River drainage, the Belize River drainage, and near Progreso, in Mexico, Guatemala and Belize.
Range
22°N - 14°N, 95°W - 87°W

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
26 °C
Water Temperature To
30 °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
benthopelagic
Environment
Freshwater; ; pH range: 6.5 - 7.5; dH range: ? - 10 benthopelagic; non-migratory
Trophic Level
2 s.e. 0.00 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
False
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
17.0 cm
Common Length
6.1 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5039 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: highly commercial
Vulnerability
Low vulnerability (20 of 100)
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated