Care and Compatibility of Red Terror Fish - Mesoheros festae

Introduction

The Red Terror Fish is a medium to large-sized fish with a robust body and striking coloration. It has a pattern of intense red horizontal stripes throughout its body, contrasting with darker tones towards the back. Its fins are long and pointed, and they can display bright colors along the edges.

Behavior

The Red Terror Fish, also known as Mesoheros festae, is a freshwater fish native to the Ecuadorian river basin. It gets its name due to its intimidating and aggressive appearance. They are territorial fish and can display territorial and aggressive behaviors towards other fish of the same species or different species.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism in Mesoheros festae is evident. Males are usually larger and have more intense colors and a larger head, while females are smaller and less colorful.

Reproduction

Breeding Red Terror Fish can be challenging in captivity due to their territorial aggression. To breed them, it is recommended to provide them with a large tank with separate areas for the pair and suitable substrate for egg deposition. The female will lay her eggs on a flat surface, and the male will fertilize them. The parents should be separated after breeding to prevent egg or fry cannibalism.

Aquarium Conditions

Mesoheros festae, commonly known as the red terror cichlid, requires a large, well-decorated aquarium with hiding spots and rocks to form structures. It prefers slightly alkaline water and a warm temperature. Aquarium décor should include stacked rocks and hardy vegetation. Maintaining water quality is crucial and providing a balanced diet.

Feeding

When it comes to feeding, the Red Terror Fish is carnivorous. It primarily feeds on small fish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. In the aquarium, it can be offered a variety of live and frozen foods, such as small fish, shrimp, and insect larvae. They also accept high-quality dry foods designed for carnivorous fish.

Complexity

Caring for Mesoheros festae can be challenging. They are territorial and aggressive fish, especially during breeding season. It's recommended to keep them in pairs or in a large group in a spacious, well-decorated tank. They are omnivores and accept a variety of foods, but should be given a varied diet to maintain their health and coloration.

In case you need more help, or if you want to know into any topic related to the Mesoheros festae (Red Terror Fish) and even any other species you can use the forums to ask what you need.

To do an analysis more detailed about coexistence and behavior of Mesoheros festae (Red Terror Fish) use the Aquarium simulation tool, if you do this you can test different ways to combine the Red Terror Fish with other fishes giving the dimensions and space on you aquarium, on this way you can known the optimal configuration for keep the fishes that you want.

You can also find out the 55 species compatible with the Mesoheros festae (Red Terror Fish) can live together.

Note: The parameters of the water such as PH and temperature are also used to calculate the compatibility of the species.

Compatible species (55)

Compatible (11 Species)

Compatible without any restriction

Galaxy Plecostomus

Leporacanthicus sp L240

Suckermouth catfish

Hypostomus plecostomus

Royal Pleco

Panaque nigrolineatus

Clown Pleco

Panaqolus maccus

Lemon Catfish

Hemiancistrus subviridis

Corydora Fish

Corydora

Leopard Cactus Pleco

Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Bristlenose Catfish

Ancistrus

Golden Royal Pleco

Sturisoma aureum

Striped Raphael Catfish

Platydoras costatus

Apple Snail

Pomacea bridgesii

Similar Sizes (2 Species)

They can coexist if they are the same size or very similar sizes, it does not work in all cases, there may be exceptions.

Black Ghost Knife Fish

Apteronotus albifrons

Pictus Catfish

Pimelodus pictus

With Reservation (14 Species)

Compatible in some cases, it depends on the nature and personality of the fish.

Killifish Nothobranchius

Nothobranchius

Horned Snail

Tyloperlamania sp

IndoPlanorbis Exustus

Planorbis planorbis

Anentome Helena

Anentome helena

Stick Catfish

Farlowella acus

Mije Fish

Leporinus fasciatus

Archerfish

Toxotes jaculatrix

Commando Cichlid

Nimbochromis venustus

Clown Loach

Chromobotia macracanthus

Gray bichir

Polypterus senegalus

Bala Shark

Balantiocheilus melanopterus

Sun Catfish

Horabagrus brachysoma

Las especies territoriales por lo general pueden convivir con especies protegidas con coraza, ya que no pueden hacerles daño por su dura piel, lo que si hay que tener en cuenta es tener un acuario con dimensiones favorables para que cada pez pueda delimitar un territorio, ya que la mayoría de peces acorazados son también peces de fondo y les gusta estar buscando lugares donde ocultarse.

Spotted Dora Catfish

Agamyxus pectinifrons

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis nigriventris

Showdown over territory (6 Species)

Fish can live together as long as the space is spacious enough to delimit a territory, otherwise there may be aggressions for competing for the territory.

Kribensis Cichlid

Pelvicachromis pulcher

Firemouth Cichlid

Cichlasoma meeki

Red-tailed Black Shark

Epalzeorhynchus frenatus

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis eupterus

Tetraodon Nigroviridis

Suckermouth Catfish

Gyrinocheilus Aymonieri

Considerable size difference (16 Species)

They can coexist while they are similar in size or the size difference is not very abysmal, since as the fish grows it increases the chances of eating its partner that did not grow much.

Ruby Tetra

Axelrodia riesei

Nerite Snail

Neritina sp

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma viejita

Galaxy Rasbora

Danio margaritatus

Boraras Brigittae Fish

Boraras Brigittae

Green Neon Tetra

Paracheirodon Simulans

Ember Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Amandae

Neon tetra fish

Paracheirodon innesi

Glowlight Tetra

Hemigrammus Erythrozonus

Multis Fish

Neolamprologus multifasciatus

Filamented Rainbowfish

Iriatherina Werneri

Cherry Barb

Barbus titteya

Serpae Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Eques

Ember Tetra

Hemigrammus Rhodostomus

Otocinclus Catfish

Otocinclus Affinis

Black Neon Tetra

Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Compatible if space is enough (6 Species)

They can coexist together if the aquarium they share is large and spacious enough for both species to feel good, as some fish may attack others to feel that they have little space and try to eliminate the competition.