Red Terror, Mayan Cichlid Lesson

[Naldo]

I know many of you are experienced enough to know this, but for the benefit of those that do not I will post this.

A short time ago I purchased a juvenile "Red Terror" from Petland in Marion Ohio. The fish is now approaching 5"-6" and I realize that I have a Mayan Cichlid. Luckily, I wasn't shopping for a Red Terror, but rather just for SA/CA cichlids in general. The Mayan Cichlid, as it turns out, is a lovely fish and gets along fine with my other cichlids so it is a keeper for me, and I reccomend that if somebody is looking for cichlids to consider keeping one.

However, if you really want a Red Terror Festae make sure you buy it from a real breeder or other source that really knows these fish or you will get burned.

I don't want to bash the Marion Ohio Petland. It has great tanks and clean, healthy fish. But obviously they made a mistaken ID in this case.

Naldo

 

[fishfarm]

Problem comes out of Florida, many farms use red terror for both fish, I actually had a Florida fish farmer who I would consider knowlegeable, argue with me that they were the same fish. Ken

 

[jgentry]

If it's not labled festea I would be very leery of buying them without seeing the fish to verify it myself. So many stores call uro's red terror's they might as well be red terrors. I see a ton more uro's called red terrors then I do festea. This is a common name issue. Use the latin names and it is not nearly as big of an issue.

 

[balton777]

However, if you really want a Red Terror Festae make sure you buy it from a real breeder or other source that really knows these fish or you will get burned.

I don't want to bash the Marion Ohio Petland. It has great tanks and clean, healthy fish. But obviously they made a mistaken ID in this case.

Naldo

If you really want a Festae, ask for Festae, not a Red Terror. Both fish are considered to have the nickname Red Terror to many lfs. Did you ask if it was Festae or Uropthalmus? If not, you're the only one who misidentified the fish.

 

[Citrinellus]

As said by everyone above, you can't blame the lfs store for labeling the fish that is somewhat correct. Its the same with green terrors but they're actually saums. They're technically right because but both fish share the common name so if its either fish they're still correct. You just assumed it was the one you wanted.

 

[LouieV]

BOY oh BOY.. When I first started the hobby I got burned many times... and from mayans label Festea...

 

[Sab_Fan]

a Mayan should not be labeled "Red Terror"; maybe they could call it a "False Red Terror" with some level of honesty . . . and I don't knock the Mayan, it is an attractive fish in its own right

living in south Florida, I can tell you that Mayan cichlids are everywhere down here . . . just about every lake or canal down here is lousy with 'em, I see them all the time in golf course water hazards . . .

 

[LouieV]

"living in south Florida, I can tell you that Mayan cichlids are everywhere down here . . . just about every lake or canal down here is lousy with 'em, I see them all the time in golf course water hazards . . . "

that must be some what cool to see~!...

 

[csnmusic02]

yea when i picked up mine it was labeled red terror at my lfs but also didnt know any better still fun fish that is very active and kinda friendly when its feeding time. but i have 2 now that mate all the time very annoying.

 

[Sab_Fan]

"living in south Florida, I can tell you that Mayan cichlids are everywhere down here . . . just about every lake or canal down here is lousy with 'em, I see them all the time in golf course water hazards . . . "

that must be some what cool to see~!...

actually, it is . . . I'm always looking into the water down here to see what's around; you can also see some huge plecos, an occasional Oscar, and at least once I saw what I think were some kind of acara . . . I wanted to go home and get a net