The firemouth cichlid is a grayish fish with green-blue flecks and red trim on the dorsal fin. Their coloration is average, except for a bright orange-red "flame" on the underside of the jaw/body. Whether this "flame" is noticeable depends on the fish, its sex, and whether it is in a breeding mood.
The firemouth cichlid prefers planted aquariums and slow moving water. They also have preference for waters with a 6.5 - 7.5 pH, a water hardness of 10.0 dGH, and a temperature of 79 - 86 °F (26 - 30 °C).
They will grow up to 17 cm (7 in). And they are mostly peaceful except for mated pairs, which exhibits typical cichlid aggression.