TankBud

Blackgullet firemouth

Thorichthys pasionis

Also known as Pasionis cichlid, Yellow meeki, Yellow firemouth cichlid

FreshwaterFish

Blackgullet firemouth (Thorichthys pasionis)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–84°F
24–29°C
pH
7.0–8.2
Adult size
7.9 in
20 cm
Minimum tank
66 gal
250 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Substrate spawner · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Usumacinta basin, Mexico and Guatemala

Overview

The blackgullet firemouth is a larger, yellow-toned relative of the common firemouth. It keeps the family's mild manners and showy threat display, and it is best with a little experience.

Did you know

Like other firemouths, the blackgullet firemouth defends itself with bluff. It flares its gill covers and throat outward to look far bigger than it is.

Caring for the blackgullet firemouth

Give a blackgullet firemouth at least 66 gal (250 L), with a soft sand floor. Add driftwood, roots, flat stones and hiding places for cover and spawning surfaces.

Keep the water warm and neutral to hard, at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.2. Feed quality pellets plus frozen and live foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp to keep its color up.

It forms pairs rather than groups, so plan on a single fish or a bonded pair. It stays near the bottom, sifting sand and grazing, and is peaceful for a cichlid. It does defend a spawning site, so choose tank mates with some caution. Small to medium Central American cichlids or peaceful South American fish work well.

It is a substrate spawner that forms pairs. Breeding it is moderately difficult.

Good to know

The blackgullet firemouth is a member of the cichlid family. Its name pasionis comes from the Rio de la Pasion, the river where the first specimens were collected. Where the common firemouth flashes a red throat, this species shows a dark, blackish one, which gives it the blackgullet name.

In the wild

The blackgullet firemouth lives in slow backwaters and channels of the Usumacinta system in southern Mexico and Guatemala. It is found over sand and among sunken wood.

Common questions

What size tank does a blackgullet firemouth need?

A blackgullet firemouth needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a blackgullet firemouth need?

A blackgullet firemouth is comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.2.

What does a blackgullet firemouth eat?

A blackgullet firemouth eats quality pellets plus frozen and live foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp. These foods help keep its color up.

How big does a blackgullet firemouth get?

An adult blackgullet firemouth reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

How does a blackgullet firemouth breed?

The blackgullet firemouth is a substrate spawner that forms pairs, using wood, roots or flat stones as spawning surfaces. Breeding it is moderately difficult.

Related species