They occur in rivers of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, south through Belize and into northern Guatemala.

As fish with a tropical distribution, firemouth cichlids live in warm water with a temperature range of 23–30 °C (73–86 °F).

The common name "firemouth" is derived from the bright orange-red colouration on the underside of the jaw, while the specific epithet meeki honors American ichthyologist Seth Eugene Meek.

[citation needed] Like most cichlids, brood care is highly developed; this species is an egg-layer.

Firemouth cichlids form monogamous pairs and spawn on flattened surfaces of rocks, leaves or submerged wood.