So I have some really good water flow going in my festae grow out tank. they are in a 90long with an AC50 powerhead on the left and a maxi-jet 900 on powerhead mode on the right. plus a AC70 AC110 and xp3 filter. This gives good medium (maybe above medium for 2-2.5 inch fish) flow. I am under the impression that festae come from river waters like salvini and jewel cichlids. Do festae enjoy a moving riverine flow? i have them set to turn off with the lights so it doesnt stop them from sleeping. Do they live in blackwater? would blackwater extract be good on them? what is the biotope when it comes to plants, rocks, wood, roots...etc what would make them most at home i guess is a my question. I know it might not matter much for fish in a tank but i guess its as much for me as them. I want to mimic a natural enviroment as close as possible. I know everyone has festaes these days but havent seen much talk on habitat. I've looked up the profiles for this fish but i want some personal opinions. =P
Festae Habitat?
- Thread starter BillyBlanco
- Start date
We have our adult festae in a 230g cichlid community tank. There is water movement at the top and I put one return bar into the water straight down. These conditions must be favorable as the have bred 4 times since march when we bought them. If your tank was more crowded I would worry more about that much water movement. Give them some nooks and crannies to hide in and take away some of the powerheads and they will do fine.
Mine are doing very well with 2800 gph from powerheads plus 900gph from a rio3100 pump and 100gph from a hob lol
They do have a lot of hiding places though.
They do have a lot of hiding places though.
yeah mine have hiding places too... the water flow gives them all a fair chance at food whipping around the tank they act like its running from them. the current also helps kick a lot of detris into the filters. if they appeared to be stressed or have any problem swimming in it i would lower it and they get a 12hr break from it every day.
I feel like one can overthink natural habitats with some of these big bruiser type cichlids. A lot of these guys would breed in horse troughs if given the proper temperature requirements. That being said, I have read in previous Aquarium Fish Mags, back in the late to mid 90's that a lot of these fish come from rocky river habitats with a steady current.
From Cichlid Room Companion (www.cichlidae.com):
Habitat: A wide variety of habitats is used. Fast flowing clear streams as well as almost stagnant rivers with turbid water and a muddy bottom are home to exCichlasoma festae.
Matt
Habitat: A wide variety of habitats is used. Fast flowing clear streams as well as almost stagnant rivers with turbid water and a muddy bottom are home to exCichlasoma festae.
Matt