Pairing Festae

Covetous · Feb 26, 2016

This is the one I think is female. It's hard to tell a difference when she isn't flaired up.

Freshwaterpredators · Feb 28, 2016

I think you have it backwards. The Festae in first pic you thought is male look female to me and visa versa..

Covetous · Feb 28, 2016

Freshwaterpredators said:
I think you have it backwards. The Festae in first pic you thought is male look female to me and visa versa..

Huh... Wouldn't that be interesting! The bigger and faster growing of the two being female. I'm ok with this. Lol that way she could handle his **** if he gets pushy

MP_cichlid · Feb 29, 2016

well, I would still add more. It isn't that these two cannot be compatible and for sure won't bond. There is never a for sure answer to that question. They may bond and be a great pair, but they very well may kill each other as well. That is why festae are tough, they can be unpredictable. That is why when you have a large number and they can choose from many, you have a much higher chance. It is not a easy process that is for sure. So, in the end, the only thing you can do is raise your chances of getting a compatible pair by getting more juvies.

Covetous · Feb 29, 2016

MP_cichlid said:
well, I would still add more. It isn't that these two cannot be compatible and for sure won't bond. There is never a for sure answer to that question. They may bond and be a great pair, but they very well may kill each other as well. That is why festae are tough, they can be unpredictable. That is why when you have a large number and they can choose from many, you have a much higher chance. It is not a easy process that is for sure. So, in the end, the only thing you can do is raise your chances of getting a compatible pair by getting more juvies.

Yeah I'm gonna get a few more and take your guy's advise. Im gonna transfer them all into my 125 at the same time. I'm just giving the Tiger Barb Dithers a couple days to get used to the tank before I put the cichlids in there. So they have a better chance of evading death for alittle longer at least.

Covetous · Mar 1, 2016

So to update, I've moved everyone in to the 125 now and they seem much happier. I went to my LFS and they only had one more Festae so i grabbed him and added him. Sounds weird but so far my smaller one has been completely abandoned by his bigger brethren. The new one i brought home and my big one are getting along great! Even my RTM is playing nice at the moment. They've made a field day out of the Tiger barbs I put in for Dithers but its working they are swimming more in the open now. My only concern is i hope my little festae stops hiding he is the only one left hiding in the corner since the move.