Red Terror Cichlid/Festae Cichlid - (Mesoheros festae)

🐟 Red Terror Cichlid / Festae Cichlid – (Mesoheros festae) – Powerful and Stunning Central/South American Cichlid for Sale

The Red Terror Cichlid (Mesoheros festae) is one of the most beautiful and aggressive large cichlids in the aquarium hobby. Native to rivers in Ecuador and northern Peru, this species is prized for its intense orange-red body coloration with bold black vertical bars. Females tend to display deeper, more vivid red tones, while males develop longer fins and brighter iridescent highlights.

With their combination of beauty, size, and personality, Red Terrors are ideal only for experienced cichlid keepers who can house and manage their territorial nature.

🔎 Quick Facts – Red Terror Cichlid (Mesoheros festae)

• 📛 Common Names: Red Terror, Festae Cichlid
• 🔬 Scientific Name: Mesoheros festae
• 🌍 Origin: Ecuador and northern Peru
• 🎨 Appearance: Striking orange-red body with black vertical bars and iridescent blue/green facial markings
• 📏 Max Size: 12–14 inches (30–35 cm)
• 💎 Availability: Occasionally available; highly sought after by large cichlid enthusiasts

😇 Behavior & Temperament

• ⚔️ Extremely aggressive and territorial, especially during breeding
• 🐟 Best kept in a species-only setup or with equally aggressive, similarly sized tankmates
• 👫 Can be kept as a bonded pair, but mate aggression is common
• 🪵 Intelligent and responsive to owners

🏠 Aquarium & Tank Requirements

• 📦 Minimum Tank Size: 125+ gallons for a single, 180+ gallons for a pair
• 🪵 Large rocks, driftwood, and hiding spots for territorial boundaries
• 🌿 Minimal delicate plants (likely to be uprooted)
• 💡 Moderate lighting to enhance coloration
• 🌊 Strong filtration to handle large bio-load

💧 Water Parameters – Red Terror Cichlid Care

• 🌡️ Temperature: 76–82°F (24–28°C)
• ⚗️ pH: 6.5–7.5
• 💧 Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water

🍽️ Diet – Carnivorous / Omnivorous

• 🦐 Frozen krill, shrimp, and fish fillets
• 🪱 Worms and insect larvae
• 🌾 High-quality cichlid pellets for large predators
• 🥬 Occasional vegetable matter like spinach or peas

📋 Red Terror Cichlid Care Overview Table

✨ Highlight:

• The Red Terror Cichlid is a gorgeous but highly aggressive river predator that commands respect and becomes the dominant centerpiece of any large aquarium.