Moderate
Firemouth Cichlid (Thorichthys meeki)
20–32°C · pH 6.5–8.5 · 108L
£5.39
A large Central American Vieja cichlid with bold markings and confident behaviour for spacious hard-water aquariums. Moderate care, semi-aggressive. 26-28C, pH 7.0-8.0.
Care at a Glance
Scientific Name
Vieja maculicauda
Max Adult Size
up to 35 cm
Lifespan
10 years
Care Level
Moderate
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Temperature
24–30°C
pH Range
7–8
Hardness
8–20 dGH
Minimum Tank
600L
Diet
Omnivore
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Water Parameters
Temperature
24–30°C
24°CIdeal30°C
pH Level
7–8
7Ideal8
Water Hardness
8–20 dGH
8 dGHIdeal20 dGH
Vieja maculicauda
Black Belt Cichlid (Vieja maculicauda)
Moderate Care
Semi-Aggressive
£12.99Sold Out
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Live arrival guaranteed. If they don’t arrive healthy, email us a short unboxing video the same day for a replacement or refund. Packed in oxygenated bags with insulation and heat packs when needed.
£19.95 tracked delivery — half price (£9.98) from £100.00, free from £200.00. One delivery charge however many fish you add — everything travels together with a licensed live-animal courier.
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A large Central American Vieja cichlid with bold markings and confident behaviour for spacious hard-water aquariums. Moderate care, semi-aggressive. 26-28C, pH 7.0-8.0.
Care at a Glance
Scientific Name
Vieja maculicauda
Max Adult Size
up to 35 cm
Lifespan
10 years
Care Level
Moderate
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Temperature
24–30°C
pH Range
7–8
Hardness
8–20 dGH
Minimum Tank
600L
Diet
Omnivore
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Full Care Guide
Cichlids: Types, Care & Tank Planning
Cichlids are a family of roughly 1,800 accepted species, not one care type. Before buying, identify the exact species and source, then compare adult measurement, usable tank dimensions, social system, territory, tested water, diet and an exit plan. No family-wide minimum tank, water range or tank-mate list is safe.
14 min readRead guide
Water Parameters
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Temperature
24–30°C
24°CIdeal30°C
pH Level
7–8
7Ideal8
Water Hardness
8–20 dGH
8 dGHIdeal20 dGH
Black Belt Cichlid (Vieja maculicauda)
Black Belt Cichlid is best listed as Vieja maculicauda, a robust Central American cichlid with strong markings and confident behaviour. It suits keepers who can provide a very large aquarium and plan around adult territorial behaviour.
Quick facts
- Scientific name: Vieja maculicauda
- Adult size: about 25 cm
- Minimum aquarium: 600 litres or larger
- Temperature: 26-28C
- pH: 7.0-8.0
- Diet: omnivore
Care and setup
Use a large mature aquarium with powerful filtration, rocks, roots, open swimming room and broken sight lines. It is a strong, heavy-bodied cichlid and should not be squeezed into a standard community layout.
Compatibility
Best companions are similarly large, robust fish chosen carefully for an oversized setup. Avoid small fish, delicate species and any tank where a pair cannot form a territory safely.
Related cichlids
- Firemouth Cichlid
- Flowerhorn Cichlid
- Pearlscale Cichlid
- Jack Dempsey Cichlid
- Nicaragua Cichlid
- Blue Jack Dempsey Cichlid
Ordering from Tropical Fish Co
. Eligible livestock orders are covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee and are sent with a licensed live-animal courier when available.
Customer Reviews
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What customers say about ordering from us
4.6 on Google Maps, rated 4.6 out of 5 (opens in a new tab)4.4 · 91 shop reviews read them, rated 4.4 out of 5
- 4 out of 5Verified buyer
I have a small group of long finned mountain minnows. So was delighted to be able to order ten of this variety to increase the genetics in my tank . The ones I recieved are healthy but it’s to early to give a verdict on wether they are of a long finned type since they are small currently.
Gordon Walker · 23 Sept 2026
- 5 out of 5Verified buyer
100% success travel and "installation". Pleased with quality of purchase. The Siamese fighter a bit "shy" so have not yet seen him at his best yet but looking good. Happy customer. GG
George E Garratt · 21 Sept 2026
Reviews of our shop, collected by Judge.me, an independent third-party review collector. Newest first.