Male vs. Female Firemouth Cichlid

The firemouth cichlid is a visually striking aquarium fish beloved among cichlid enthusiasts. It gets its name from the vibrant red coloring along its throat.

Read on to compare male and female firemouth cichlids and learn how to tell them apart in a tank environment.

Males are typically larger than females with an average length of 6 inches. Females usually only grow to about 5 inches in length.

Size

Males tend to have longer, pointed dorsal and anal fins. Females’ fins are shorter and rounder.

Appearance

Males are typically more vibrantly colored than females, especially regarding the red along their throats. Both sexes have a bluish-grey body.

Color

A female firemouth cichlid can lay 100-500 eggs at one time. After she lays the eggs, the male fertilizes them. They will be extremely protective of both the eggs and the female.

Reproduction

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