How do I breed Festae

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

MaJiKTeRRoR

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 1, 2005
400
0
0
43
Illinois
What size tank do I need? What substrate is recommended and aquascape? Temperature, when do they meet sexual maturity?

Thank you
 
festae usually start to show breeding behavior when the female reaches about 6". You will know when she becomes a vibrant orange with bold black barring.
substrate doesn't usually play any role in breeding.
 
Temp about 80-82 degrees use a one of those clay like pots they usually go for those and there kinda cool because you can see the eggs really good... I would say at the least a 90 gal for a pair of these guys!!!! :thumbsup:
 
MaJiKTeRRoR said:
What size tank do I need? What substrate is recommended and aquascape? Temperature, when do they meet sexual maturity?

Thank you

Verry carefully. Usually they can breed at 4-5'' because that is when you can tell the sex but i would wait untill they are closer to 6-7'' just to be safe.

I wouldn't want to use anything smaller then 120g but i believe you could do it in a 75g.
you would have to really watch the agression between the pair.
 
Hi Majikterror. I have been breeding festae for a couple of years now. My first brood was when my female was about 4 inches. They breed in a 72 gallon bowfront. All I feed them is pellets, and the water temp is anywhere between 75 and 85 degrees. However, I just recently had to remove the male, since he became to big and powerful. He hurt her bad one day about 3 weeks ago. I think he can easily be a show fish. He is nearly 10 inches now, as my female is about 6 inches. She never has time for growing, since all she does is breed. I have had thousands of fry, which I heard from many people are quite beautiful grow outs. I originally purchased 8 babies, and let them pair off.
 
How long before they reached sexual maturity? Did they just take each other out until there was only 2 left? Do all festae get the beautiful color when they get that big or is it only the wild caught?
 
There are several morphs in coloration. There are some that turn a gorgeous red, whereas others will be a faint gray. Their mood will also have an effect on their coloration.

I miust agree that they can spawn at several sizes, starting at around 3". However, being inexperienced, the chances of a successful spawn are quite slim.
 
Meaning what?
 
What I mean is that their color will morph (not sure if correct verb) depending on the sex and age of the fish. Adult males can have a light green to irridescent green body. The stripes can vary on most of these fish ranging from a light bluish tint to a dark blue which looks black.
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com