Male Festae community tank

[Circa4190]

Wow considering how less common these guys are they seem to be one these fish that has endless horror stories of completely assassinating all their tank mates. Thanks for your reply Rocksor. I have decided to remove all other cichlids from the tank and just give the festae a tank to itself with some silver dollars and a couple of large plecos.

My male is about 7" at this point, and he's murdered 4 convicts, an unknown of some sort, a 13" Pim, ALMOST killed my Red Texas, and is starting to bully our 14" Oscars. They're in a 75 at the moment until the 300 finishes cycling. It needs to hurry up..or Mr. Festae is going to the 20L time out tank until it's done.

 

[Circa4190]

Wow considering how less common these guys are they seem to be one these fish that has endless horror stories of completely assassinating all their tank mates. Thanks for your reply Rocksor. I have decided to remove all other cichlids from the tank and just give the festae a tank to itself with some silver dollars and a couple of large plecos.

My male is about 7" at this point, and he's murdered 4 convicts, an unknown of some sort, a 13" Pim, ALMOST killed my Red Texas, and is starting to bully our 14" Oscars. They're in a 75 at the moment until the 300 finishes cycling. It needs to hurry up..or Mr. Festae is going to the 20L time out tank until it's done.

 

[Slayer2533]

My male is about 7" at this point, and he's murdered 4 convicts, an unknown of some sort, a 13" Pim, ALMOST killed my Red Texas, and is starting to bully our 14" Oscars. They're in a 75 at the moment until the 300 finishes cycling. It needs to hurry up..or Mr. Festae is going to the 20L time out tank until it's done.

Is it at all possible for an Oscar to live with a male Festae or would it always end badly even in a large aquarium with dither fish smaller cichlids etc?

 

[BIG-G]

I would say anything is possible. The best shot would be to start them out small. The oscar should out pace the festae in growth and size. With other fish to spread the aggression around as well as room for the fish to have their own areas. No female festae so a pair wouldn't form.

It also depends on the fishes individual personalities as well. Some fish are just aggressive and some are more laid back. This is true with just about any cichlid species.

 

[Slayer2533]

I would say anything is possible. The best shot would be to start them out small. The oscar should out pace the festae in growth and size. With other fish to spread the aggression around as well as room for the fish to have their own areas. No female festae so a pair wouldn't form.

It also depends on the fishes individual personalities as well. Some fish are just aggressive and some are more laid back. This is true with just about any cichlid species.

Reason I ask is because I currently have separated my male festae and a green texas only around 3-4 inches or so after adding a couple of young oscars around the same size they seem to be targeted despite the 5 silver dollar dithers and a range of other american cichlids in the large 600 litre tank. I am trying to give the Oscars a chance to put on some size to give them a better chance if I reintroduce the festae as he is one of my favorites just doesn't seem to like oscars.

 

[duanes]

This tank worked a while until the Chucos decided to spawn, then all hell broke loose, it was a 150 gal.
I'm not so sure about how Oscars would work though, they are usually not tough enough to hang with many Central,/North American Cichlids.

 

[BIG-G]

Oscars do seem to be the target lots of times. Maybe it's the oscars slow kind of way they go about things.
Oscars also do not fight the same way, as a lot of cichlids and this gets them into trouble.
Oscars tend to be a lot of threat and no fight until they just have to.
It's like that guy that talks about how he's going to kick your A** but secretly hopes you don't actually want to fight! Lol

 

[Slayer2533]

Oscars do seem to be the target lots of times. Maybe it's the oscars slow kind of way they go about things.
Oscars also do not fight the same way, as a lot of cichlids and this gets them into trouble.
Oscars tend to be a lot of threat and no fight until they just have to.
It's like that guy that talks about how he's going to kick your A** but secretly hopes you don't actually want to fight! Lol

Lol. That's true I have also noticed they just don't act the same way as most other american cichlids and I swear the only way for them to not get harassed so hard is to be a much larger size compared to the Festae. If not I may need to rehome some Oscars.

 

[BIG-G]

That's probably best.

 

[Slayer2533]

That's probably best.

I will see what happens. I think if the Oscar's gain another couple inches then I reintroduce the festae and green texas to the main tank it should be ok but I keep a few tanks and a medical tank so I will see how it goes. Thanks for the advice.