Festae vs. Mayan in temperment

[DwarfCichlid101]

I know that each fish has his/her own personality, but in general which one of these fish has the better? To extend on that- which one is more likely to play nice, and is it better to get more than one to calm them down?

See, a pet store sort of near me has 'red terrors' which are a mixed batch of festae and mayans, and I have no idea which one to get.

What would you choose based on temperment and the ability to get along with other fish. Or just tell me your opinion and experiances .

 

[tydus]

How big is your tank? That is a big factor. Festaes are very aggro and will kill tankmates if the tank isn't big enough. The uros are more peaceful I believe but some can still be nasty. There was a lfs up in Sacramento called Capitol Aquarium who had a big ass uro who was freaking aggro. It would glass bang and try to jump out of the tank to get you. In the end, I think it really is the fish's personality as stated. How many do you want to get?

 

[DwarfCichlid101]

I was thinking just two, maybe three. They would be going into my 150. They would have some company too; a pair of JD, a jag, a pleco and maybe a RD (not sure on that one). None of which are aggressive to each other.

I've had some good success with fish who've been brought up together, and I was thinking that since these fish are only 2" or so that it could work too.

 

[fishluvr12]

I would def. get the Festae.The Mayan will get almost as bad in temperment as the Festae,but will not look half as good

 

[Red_Terror]

From my experience mayans are nicer. that being said go festae

 

[lostnight]

In my experience Mayans are more bold when younger. Festaes take longer to mature, but they can be pretty aggressive when they are adults.

 

[jgentry]

Go with the festae. Adult Mayans can be every bit as mean and adding a Mayan to a tank with JD's will result in constant fighting. They are too closely related. You will either have the JD's chasing the Mayan and killing it if you have an aggressive pair or the Mayan will get big enough and kill both the JD's. I would only add one female festae.

 

[its_an_obsession]

Mayans are nicer. haha. i guess some are but my nasty mayan tries to bite me every time i put my hand in the tank. good thing its doesnt have teeth like pirhana or i wouldnt have a hand left.

 

[Eläköön]

my mayan lives by himself because he trys to kill anything else. he is a male, but ive never kept a festae, i know festae are more colourful so if its a nice looking fish you want i would go festae, best to get a female as they have bright red colouration usualy

 

[DwarfCichlid101]

Thanks for the imput guys!

I know that a lot of you compared what they look like, and how mean they can get, but how personable are they? I'm not expecting Oscar behavior, but I don't like being rejected by my fish either (I already have one of those )