Firemouth Meekie

Question
Hi Jamie.  I was very concerned about my new firemouth ciclid(firemouth meekie).  when inroduced to the tank and evenutually fed, the most dominant fish(jack dempsey) makes sure no on eats before him.  The firemouth was threatened quite a bit and only ate small flakes in minute quantity.  That went on for one week.  The next two weeks there was no more quarrel between the two and dominance was understood.  When the jack dempsey was through feeding the firemouth would still not eat.  Long story short.  He seemed to have starved to death.  I have more circumstance for different possible evaluation.  Please write back.  none of my fish have ever died since i became an enthusiast.  I am so disappointed

Answer
jack dempseys and firemouth meekies are both cichlids.  As such, they behave like cichlids.  If your dempsey if a dominate fish, he may not allow other cichlids in his tank.  I would take this as a matter of a territory dispute and refrain from putting another cichlid in the tank.