Festive Cichlid
Mesonauta festivus
Gallery









A large and fairly placid cichlid related to Angelfish and Discus. Best kept in groups in a large aquarium
Overview
Synonyms | Acara festiva, Cichlasoma festiva, Cichlasoma insigne, Cichlasoma insignis, Heros festivus, Heros insignis, Mesonauta insignis |
Distribution | Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Peru. |
Maximum Size | 15cm (6") |
Temperature | 24-30°C |
Water Parameters | Will acclimatise to a wide range of conditions. pH: 5.5-7.5, dH: up to 18 degrees. |
Compatibility | Community with no small fish |
Lighting | Medium |
Special Requirements | Not to be kept with small fish e.g. Neon Tetras. |
Sexual Dimorphism | Difficult to determine. Males sometimes have elongated pectoral and anal fins. |
Feeding | Flake, granules, cichlid pellets and frozen foods |
Description
Care
The Festive Cichlid is a timid and relatively peaceful species that should be housed in aquariums 3ft long or more, and with plenty of hiding places amongst robust plants and bogwood. Due to their adult size, they should not be kept with small fish e.g. Neon Tetras, as these will eventually become a snack. They can however, be kept with larger "deeper-bodied" species of Tetra or other medium-sized peaceful South American cichlid species (if enough space is provided). Boisterous tankmates must be avoided to ensure that the Festive Cichlids are confident enough to come out and feed. Compatible pairs are likely to become territorial towards other fish when in breeding mode. Sensitive to less-than-ideal water conditions, frequent partial water changes are a must. In the wild, Festive Cichlids are found close to the banks of slow-moving waters, amongst networks of tall plants. They have been observed alongside Angelfish in their natural habitat. The coloration of this species may vary depending on the original collection location. May also be seen on sale as Festivum or Flag Cichlid.Although all share a common name, a number of species may be encountered in the hobby with differences in fin colouration and country of origin being the best way to differentiate them. It's best not to mix fishes from different locations to avoid accidental hybridisation.
Feeding
Feeding
Flake, green flake, slow-sinking pellets, lettuce, spinach, frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, brineshrimp, Mysis shrimp etc.
Breeding
Difficult. The spawning aquarium should be set up with soft, slightly acidic water, and with the temperature set at the high end of the preferred range. A well-conditioned pair are likely to spawn on flat surfaces, so ensure that there are small pieces of slate stood upright against the back glass of the aquarium, along with some broad-leaved plants. The pair will clean the spawning site (either slate or plant leaves) and up to 1000 eggs will be laid/fertilised. The parents will guard the eggs, which will hatch within 48 hours. These wrigglers will hang from the spawning site for a further 48-72 hours, after which time they will become free-swimming. The parents will protect the fry, so there is no need to remove them. The young can be offered crushed flake and baby brineshrimp.Where can I buy these aquarium fish?
If you like this species and would like to find out more, we have an enormous range of aquarium fish and invertebrates available to buy in all of our stores across the UK (including freshwater tropical and marine fish).
However, please note that this species may not be available in your chosen store, even if the store specialises in this particular species. This is due to seasonality and stock availability from store-to-store. Please check with your local store about availability of specific species to purchase before making a journey.
Copyright
© 2025 Maidenhead Aquatics Ltd. All Rights Reserved. No part of the content on this page may be reproduced for distribution or commercial gain in line with our Terms and Conditions.