To me, Festae require an entire tank to themselves as adults, they are not fit to be housed with any other cichlids¨.(and especially if you want them to exhibit true colors)
These cichlids (as indcated by their isolation west of the Andes), are loners (excpet when paired.)
My males easily hit over 12¨, so a 6 ft tank for them would be minimal just for a pair.
and........Keeping them togther with a similar Mexican cichlid such as Herichthys is an exercise in futility, as they both are the dominent cichlid in their own geographic habitat, each species vying for territory in thelimits of a tiny glas box
Neither cichlid species are really community cichlid candidates.
I have kept both festae, and a number of those from the genus Herichthys and would not keep them in the same tank as mature adults.
View attachment 1570239View attachment 1570238
