My BIG FESTAE ***** Tank!!!!

[philipraposo1982]

I was so taken by the shear Beauty of these fish I didn't realize the tank was only a 80g.

I was advised against keeping a single female in a 75g solo. I'm surprised to see this working out, but glad they are getting along well.

I hope all the best for you and your stunning fish. Maybe years down the road I might get a real big tank and try something similar. I love red terrors!

 

[Cyberman]

If not sell her, an 80 gallon tank isn't big enough for a single pair to begin with, especially at this size, don't get me wrong, beautiful pair and great job man, but I'm just trying to help you avoid a disaster

Mate I've kept these fish for long enough myself to know what I'm doing... Doesn't matter how much space you have its the cover the fish have and knowing and understanding the nature and temperament of the fish one keeps, that counts. Even if you have a massive tank that wouldn't stop a male killing his mate if she didn't have the right sort of cover.

 

[Cyberman]

I was so taken by the shear Beauty of these fish I didn't realize the tank was only a 80g.

I was advised against keeping a single female in a 75g solo. I'm surprised to see this working out, but glad they are getting along well.

I hope all the best for you and your stunning fish. Maybe years down the road I might get a real big tank and try something similar. I love red terrors!

This is the thing... people seem to think they need to keep these in huge tanks.... Its one cubic inch of fish to a gallon of water... a 11 inch long Festae is approx 25 cubic inches.... There's approx. 65 cubic inches of fish in that tank so still have 15 gallons beathing space.

 

[Cyberman]

 

[MP_cichlid]

no im not saying you need a huge tank, im saying you need a bigger tank. thats just that. you should have at least 125. Its about square footage and territory. The fact that you think that space doesn't matter is simply ridiculous.

 

[philipraposo1982]

My only concern is that they don't see to have much room to move around, like even calmly moving around the tank seems like it would be tough for those 3.

I don't often say this to many fish keepers but I really do believe the tank is small with regards to having enough space to move around freely. Otherwise great looking fish. looks very healthy.

 

[Cyberman]

no im not saying you need a huge tank, im saying you need a bigger tank. thats just that. you should have at least 125. Its about square footage and territory. The fact that you think that space doesn't matter is simply ridiculous.

How's that ridiculous? I've raised 4 spawnings with one male and two females in this tank for the last three years... Infact the two girls in this tanks have have lived together for most of their life's. Its all about creating cover and a nice interesting environment... I'd rather keep it like this where there's something interesting happening i.e. with passive sparing showing off their colours etc etc than them hiding away in a under-stocked tank like you're suggesting... This way they're always out and flaring at eachother and being exciting.

Very often Festae are accused of being boring. I must be doing something right as my Fish are thriving and showing amazing colours. If I seperate them they'll sulk and go into decline.

 

[Bigfishnut]

Great looking pair! Look fine to me in that tank. Water quality is what's really important, and It's obvious you have that covered. That pair looks very healthy. The trouble in this hobby is that everyone seems to think what they perceive to be ideal is the only "right" way. Let's face it, we are keeping fish in glass boxes. Not exactly natural no matter what size. I'm a big tank kinda guy...I keep rays and more discus than most people have ever seen...but it boils down to what works and if your fish are healthy!

 

[Cyberman]

Great looking pair! Look fine to me in that tank. Water quality is what's really important, and It's obvious you have that covered. That pair looks very healthy. The trouble in this hobby is that everyone seems to think what they perceive to be ideal is the only "right" way. Let's face it, we are keeping fish in glass boxes. Not exactly natural no matter what size. I'm a big tank kinda guy...I keep rays and more discus than most people have ever seen...but it boils down to what works and if your fish are healthy!

Thanks for that brilliant response. My argument all along. If my fish are happy and breeding and showing their best colours and growing well whats the issue. As I said before, fish don't read books.

 

[kewpiefishypewpie]

I've been keeping Festae on n off for over 30 years since I was a kid - even got asked to write an article in Britians top Aquarist magazine in the 1980s about care of this species So yes I think I have a bit my experience of this species than most....

So in my opinion they aren't the most aggressive cichlids out there... yes they can be killers (but so can a Ram or a Firemouth)... in the grand scheme of things, though, they are pussy cats... That's why its safer to keep them in their own species tank. Yes you do get rogues and you do get teddy bears and they're certainly not best suited for mixing with Blue Acaras, but if you have a busy tank with lots of scope for hiding places and security (Festae love squashing into tight dark spaces) you can keep a fair few specimens at relatively close quarters, as proven with my set up. This way they show their breeding dress regularly and warning displays can be a real spectacle - who wants a boring tank where nothing happens. You're creating an interactive environment which fish enjoy aswell as their owners.

On that note it is my belief that fish keep together in a great stimulated place show their best colours.... This is the father of my current male .
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Heres the two females I have in a different tank when they were just 5"
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These cichlids are design to compete and it usually works best to have a tank with one male and two or three females... Two males could spell disaster.
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Great looking fish man, awesome job. Your fish are always really nice I must admit. Not sure why these threads in the cichlid section always have to get so hostile, could use some positivity.