Identify trade in cichlid

[Wildcat157]

Got this guy today and as a trade in at Pet Land. Kinda dull in color with bars on it. Girl tried telling me it was a convict but I don't think it's all convict.

Any ideas out there. Could it be a convict hybrid?

It's trying to boss around my 5" Dempsey and does not seem afraid of anything. Meets me at glass and watches my every move.

Thanks if anyone is seen this juve cichlid before.

 

[Jexnell]

Looks like a Mesoheros Festae. In the second pic you can see the distinctive y bar, also the false eyespot is mostly on the top half of the tail, another Festae trait.

 

[duanes]

At this point it looks to me like a washed out, young Mesoheros festae

It has the correct number of bars. and the spot on the caudal is located in the upper half, and the 2 anterior body spots (short horizontal bands) look correct.
The colors are problematic, but because you have such bright, white substrate it may be cause it to instinctively wash out.

 

[Wildcat157]

Wow, super happy if that's what it is. Is this cichlid kind of rare? Never come across it in a retail pet store before.

If it colors up to the pic's you posted I will be happy.

I do realize that white sand can wash colors out but it's what I have going at the moment.

Never owned this cichlid type before will it be compatible with a Dempsey if enough room and decor?

 

[Jexnell]

Wow, super happy if that's what it is. Is this cichlid kind of rare? Never come across it in a retail pet store before.

If it colors up to the pic's you posted I will be happy.

I do realize that white sand can wash colors out but it's what I have going at the moment.

Never owned this cichlid type before will it be compatible with a Dempsey if enough room and decor?

Festae get BIG! So be ready for that. Females grow out to 12in plus, males out to 18in. From what I gather they don't play well with others at all.
Here is a male I had for a bit only around the 8in mark.

 

[Wildcat157]

That is a gorgeous cichlid you had. If they get that big and look that nice I may trade in my more coming Dempsey's.
Have to look online for this species and possibly try to get a couple more to pair up.
Do they pair up easily or is this a species that is difficult to get a mated pair in your experience?

Thx in advance.

 

[Jexnell]

That is a gorgeous cichlid you had. If they get that big and look that nice I may trade in my more coming Dempsey's.
Have to look online for this species and possibly try to get a couple more to pair up.
Do they pair up easily or is this a species that is difficult to get a mated pair in your experience?

Thx in advance.

I don't have a lot of experience to go off of. I just recently got 6 small ones to grow out and try and get a pair. But Murphys law took over and I had to sell it all off.


Others with more information should chime in. Maybe start a journal and others with experience can chime in.

Here was mine

My Mesoheros Festae journal

In this thread I'll be posting updates on my new group of Mesoheros Festae. Tank: 6ft 125gal Filtration: 2X Aquaclear 110's, Ehiem heater and air pump Occupants 6X Mesoheros Festae "Red Terror" 20X Hyphessobrycon columbianus “Red & Blue Colombian Tetra”

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

As far as getting a pair to form, best bet is to get 6 to 8 and grow them out and let nature take it's course. Rehome the extras after you are positive you have a bonded pair.

 

[stiker]

That is a gorgeous cichlid you had. If they get that big and look that nice I may trade in my more coming Dempsey's.
Have to look online for this species and possibly try to get a couple more to pair up.
Do they pair up easily or is this a species that is difficult to get a mated pair in your experience?

Thx in advance.

In my experience they hav extremely high conspecific aggression, even from a young age. I have never had a male kill a female but a pair of Festae I had a few years ago came the closest. What size tank do you have? They require a massive tank and I recommend always having a divider on hand in case.

Below my original female, and some images of her offspring



Female above, male below

 

[duanes]

Wow, super happy if that's what it is. Is this cichlid kind of rare? Never come across it in a retail pet store before.

Although they are not often seen in LFSs, they are easily available.
Where I lived in the Chicago/Milwaukee area, I was able to acquire young festae for about $3 each, if bought in lots of 6 or more.
I'd say a 6 ft tank is minimum for a pair.
I would not house them as adults with cichlids half their max size like JDs or similar species.
I kept my pair (and an extra female)as adults, in a 6 ft tank with no other cichlids.

I also divided the tank with a section the female could escape thru.

The male above was about 12", and had not finished growing.
As youngsters, they may be able to be held with other cichlids, but not as full adults, unless your tank is over 300 gallons.

 

[Wildcat157]

It's a 6 foot tank.

I do have a question on the scientific name.

The original response was that I had a Mesoheros Festae.

When I look stuff up online I see it referred to as two other names...

Cichlosoma Festae and Amphilophus Festae.

Are all three of these names the same fish?

Thanks to any moderator or experienced person who can explain this to me.