Has anyone had a positive experience with keeping Festae in a community aquarium? If so what worked?
Festae in Community
- Thread starter MattyV55
- Start date
I have personally, but it was a solo female. She was with a bunch of convicts and they all kind of steered clear of each other. They weren't a threat to her and she was never really interested in bugging them.
I've seen other members have festae in with a bunch of other fish too. Usually other large New World cichlids.
I've seen other members have festae in with a bunch of other fish too. Usually other large New World cichlids.
I have two 125s. One a south American with Chocolates, geos, severums and another central american with a pair of Labiatus, pair of Vieja Synspilum, and pair of Nicaraguense. Would love to get some but don't know if it's feasible in either tank
I've had females mostly and a male singly and it worked great - there were plenty of fish that they could kill and they didn't bother them. Tank size was 135 and 300, so it may be different in a smaller tank. Just be careful that it is not a community where there are a bunch of centrals that will pick on the Festae as they do not do well being picked on. Also, I once made the mistake of raising festae w/ HRP and Sajica growouts - the smaller fish grew much faster, got bigger quicker, and stressed the heck out of my festae. I have not bred festae, but have found them to not be aggressive compared to centrals - and when they are it is bowing up or defense, and not on attack that will do damage. Of course, every fish is different.
Yes the Synspilum are big but don't bother anyone. The Labiatus are only about 5" right now
Yes, had one in my 240 gallon tank back in the day. With that said he was one of the last fish introduced to the tank. This was done purposely as Festae's are aggressive, big, and mean.
With that said you should always have a back up plan. I always had a 125 or 90 gallon tank on standby just in case one of my fish became too aggressive.
BTW, forgot who mentioned it, but stay away from a breeding pair if you want your Festae with other fish.
I don't know how to tag members, but there is a member here, named Andy Woods, who is also on YouTube.
He has videos of his tanks, which until recently featured a community tank that included Festae.
Check it out. His videos are awesome. You won't be disappointed.
His community tank was large, I'd guess 200 gallons or more. He had Convicts, and various amphilophus species if I recall.
I believe he has recently switched that tank to a Festae only tank, but I don't think it was because of a lack of success with the community.
Good luck, keep us posted!
He has videos of his tanks, which until recently featured a community tank that included Festae.
Check it out. His videos are awesome. You won't be disappointed.
His community tank was large, I'd guess 200 gallons or more. He had Convicts, and various amphilophus species if I recall.
I believe he has recently switched that tank to a Festae only tank, but I don't think it was because of a lack of success with the community.
Good luck, keep us posted!