Festivum Cichlid

Mesonauta festivus

Native Location: Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay. 

Climate: Tropical

Maximum Size: 10cm

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Omnivore

Breeding: Moderate

Temperature Range: 24-28℃ (76-82℉)

Preferred pH Range: 6.0 - 8.0

Minimum Aquarium Size: 140l 

Potential Tankmates: Geophagus and Apistogramma cichlids, Tetras, Barbs and Corydoras.

Care Level: Easy

You can find the Festivum Cichlid, also known as Flag Cichlid, in many river drainages across South America. Almost all the habitats are filled with lots of aquatic plants which makes them an ideal choice for an aquarium with live plants. A peaceful species that can be kept in a community aquarium. That being said, if a pair has formed within your aquarium, you can expect a few defensive and territorial displays.

The ideal aquarium would consist of a soft sandy substrate with some wood and lots of plants. Flow is not very important due to their tendency to live in slow-moving waters. The Festivum cichlid provides elegance to a community aquarium.

Feeding Festivum Cichlids is not a challenging task due to their willingness to accept almost any food. They are a natural tendency to eat anything they come across while swimming. In the home aquarium, offer quality dry food with a mixture of frozen or live foods such as daphnia, bloodworm and brine shrimp.

If you are looking for a new breeding project then look no further than the Festivum Cichlids. Like many other cichlid species, a pair is formed. Eggs will be deposited on a smooth and flat surface by the female and in turn, fertilized by the male who will defend the area throughout the process. Both parents will care for the fry but can be spooked very easily, resulting in them eating the fry. Ideally, a breeding aquarium, in a room with little foot traffic should be used if intentional breeding is intended.

All our fish are quarantined on arrival for two weeks. During this time, they are treated for any possible diseases and given a complete health check  to make sure they are health, happy and eating well before being placed in our display aquariums, ready for sale.

Dead on Arrival (DOA) Policy: In the unfortunate event that your fish arrives dead, please follow these steps: Within 12 hours of the delivery, take clear, unopened bag pictures showing the deceased fish. Send these photographs and your order number to our customer service email at [email protected] or to our Facebook page and we will then offer a refund or store credit for the cost of the fish. 

Two-Week Guarantee Policy: We stand behind the health and quality of our fish, which is why we offer a two-week guarantee starting from the day of delivery. If your fish dies within this time frame, adhere to the following procedure: Take clear photos of the deceased fish. Using a reliable test kit, document via a dated photo, water parameters (pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite levels). Please email us the photographs, water parameters, and order number to [email protected] or our Facebook page. After reviewing your claim, if approved, we will issue a store credit for the cost of the fish. Our two-week guarantee does not cover fish deaths due to unsuitable water conditions, incompatible tank mates or “disasters” i.e. a heater overheating. We recommend thoroughly researching each fish species' needs before introducing them to your aquarium to prevent such situations. 

 Freight Charges: Please note that shipping or freight charges are non-refundable under all circumstances. We hope this guide makes our refund and guarantee process more understandable. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please get in touch with us at [email protected]. We are always happy to assist. Thank you for choosing The Fish Room. Happy fish keeping!