I have a group of 5- 1 1/2" to 2". I have already noticed aggression from 1 who is the largest. I did not expect this so soon. I have had adults and dealt with aggression between male and female. They are currently in a 38 gallon with many hiding spots. When one comes in the sight line the chase is on. I wanted to grow this group out and hopefully get a pair. Anyone who has raised a group have any suggestions? At what size do I have to be concerned about one taking another out? Thanks in advance for replies.
Juvenile Festae ?'s.
- Thread starter Leviathan64
- Start date
I grew out a group of 6 in a 120gal. Their fights were minimal as juveniles because they had so much space. It was only after they reached 5" that the carnage began. Maybe you need a larger tank to grow them out in so that they will have space to separate. I'm not suggesting a 120 but maybe something closer to a 75gal. They are mean lil' buggers, even as juvies. I also had one male that was always larger than the others. He staked his claim to a hollow log. He only bothered the others when they entered the log. A few caves or some other hiding spots could help too.
I once bought six 2" F1 Festae from Rapps. I put them in a 150g tank to grow them out with lots of boundries made with driftwood. Even with space they were still always fighting each other. I eventually ended up with only one female from the group.
Although I loathe them being called Red Terrors in the hobby, Festae are called that for a reason and it has nothing to do with size.
I have some that were fathered by the fish in the pic below. Mine and my buddy's are 1st class assassins even at 1".
The guy that sold them to us has their siblings who are not as violent as ours. Sometimes it's the fish, sometimes the environment, sometimes its a fulll moon. Who knows? I started growing out a batch of 19 with no isues. When they hit the 2" mark Armagedden began. That's just how Festae roll. Casulties are part of the package.
If you don't have a heavy set of knockers and infinite patience, Sell em!
View attachment F0 Male.bmp
I have some that were fathered by the fish in the pic below. Mine and my buddy's are 1st class assassins even at 1".
The guy that sold them to us has their siblings who are not as violent as ours. Sometimes it's the fish, sometimes the environment, sometimes its a fulll moon. Who knows? I started growing out a batch of 19 with no isues. When they hit the 2" mark Armagedden began. That's just how Festae roll. Casulties are part of the package.
If you don't have a heavy set of knockers and infinite patience, Sell em!
View attachment F0 Male.bmp
just what I was about to say Jim. what works for me is to put a lot of pvc in the tank maybe 4 per fish.It makes it hard to clean the tank but it keeps them alive.Also watch for internal parasites which ever ones are being picked on may get it
chefjimmy has some on aquabid at a good price.
http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?fwcichlids&1289530267
http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?fwcichlids&1289530267
Thanks all. The festae are from an OCA member in Cleveland. The decor in the tank does have plants, many stones with many caves and also PVC pipe. I do have tanks to move them up to so if the aggression becomes too much I can make a change. If the one continues his ways I'll throw him a 20 all by himself.
They are killers, no mistake!
I had 8 that were only 3inches in a 6ft x 2ft x 2.5ft high and there was one big one that killed all the others.
A real alpha male who became the father of many fry when I was able to get a female big enough and angry enough to go in with him.
I'm growing out 3 of the fry and one is a male (another alpha for sure) and the other 2 females are fighting all the time.
Festae temperment can really vary so just hav to hope you get something happening that works for yours.
Good luck with this challenging species.
Your first pair that hits breeding colours will blow your mind so keep at it!
J
I had 8 that were only 3inches in a 6ft x 2ft x 2.5ft high and there was one big one that killed all the others.
A real alpha male who became the father of many fry when I was able to get a female big enough and angry enough to go in with him.
I'm growing out 3 of the fry and one is a male (another alpha for sure) and the other 2 females are fighting all the time.
Festae temperment can really vary so just hav to hope you get something happening that works for yours.
Good luck with this challenging species.
Your first pair that hits breeding colours will blow your mind so keep at it!
J