I'd suggest tuxcmd to use iconthemes.
* use either system's icontheme + action associations
* if the above is too complicated to detect, let user select iconthemes directory and use the mimetypes icons. use along with /etc/mime.types (available on gentoo but I suppose this is on every distro. if not, gentoo's mimetype <> extension association could be used).
* use some nice modern default icontheme (will give tuxcmd lots of polish at the expense of a few extra kB of bundled icons). suggestion: http://tiheum.deviantart.com/art/Faenza-Icons-173323228 (Faenza icon theme) since using squarish icons is probably most suitable for in a fixed row layout tuxcmd has.