RANT ON
I've kept, bred, and been around festae for over 20 years and I get fairly disgruntled over the terms I read and hear regarding this fish. Old wholesaler names such as "red terror," "true festae," "red festae," and the latest "wild green festae" set me in an uproar over this beloved cichlid.
In regard to "true festae," the solution is easiest. It's either a festae or it's a urophthalmus, not true or false festae!
In regard to "red terror," drop it. That's an old wholesaler/importer name. Festae is more acceptable amongst people who know and love the fish.
In regard to "red festae" and "green festae," those should be synonymous to the sex of the fish; females being red and males being green. Yes, there are exceptions, but more often than not the red female green male is going to be the norm.
If the "wild green festae" recently offered IS indeed a pair, I suspect that the female is a hybrid or off color morph. Not something I'd want circulating through festae bloodlines.
The fish that is supposedly the female looked to be a young male with some barring or was severely stressed. The male was ok looking, but I've seen MUCH better wild festae offered.
Some of the best female festae I've owned were wild ones from Jeff years ago; one of which is the female in my profile pic. The best pair I've seen bar none was the first pair Dan Woodland sent me that a certain airline's carelessness lead to their demise. The female was superior to every picture I've ever seen. The male was only second to the subsequent male I got from him. He can be seen in my avatar pic.
THIS IS MY OPINION.
Festae females are red and males are green. Strong barring in males is a desirable trait that is seldom found. The spangled sides are more common. Both together is spectacular. Neon blue/teal outlining on female barring is phenomenal when you find it.
Call them festae or wild festae and let their beauty say the rest.
RANT OFF
I've kept, bred, and been around festae for over 20 years and I get fairly disgruntled over the terms I read and hear regarding this fish. Old wholesaler names such as "red terror," "true festae," "red festae," and the latest "wild green festae" set me in an uproar over this beloved cichlid.
In regard to "true festae," the solution is easiest. It's either a festae or it's a urophthalmus, not true or false festae!
In regard to "red terror," drop it. That's an old wholesaler/importer name. Festae is more acceptable amongst people who know and love the fish.
In regard to "red festae" and "green festae," those should be synonymous to the sex of the fish; females being red and males being green. Yes, there are exceptions, but more often than not the red female green male is going to be the norm.
If the "wild green festae" recently offered IS indeed a pair, I suspect that the female is a hybrid or off color morph. Not something I'd want circulating through festae bloodlines.
The fish that is supposedly the female looked to be a young male with some barring or was severely stressed. The male was ok looking, but I've seen MUCH better wild festae offered.
Some of the best female festae I've owned were wild ones from Jeff years ago; one of which is the female in my profile pic. The best pair I've seen bar none was the first pair Dan Woodland sent me that a certain airline's carelessness lead to their demise. The female was superior to every picture I've ever seen. The male was only second to the subsequent male I got from him. He can be seen in my avatar pic.
THIS IS MY OPINION.
Festae females are red and males are green. Strong barring in males is a desirable trait that is seldom found. The spangled sides are more common. Both together is spectacular. Neon blue/teal outlining on female barring is phenomenal when you find it.
Call them festae or wild festae and let their beauty say the rest.
RANT OFF
