Orinoco Festivum (Mesonauta egregius) Care Guide
Mesonauta egregius is a peaceful festivum cichlid from the Meta and Vichada systems of the Orinoco basin, described by Kullander and Silfvergrip in 1991.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Mesonauta egregius is a festivum cichlid of the family Cichlidae, described by Kullander and Silfvergrip in 1991. Members of the genus form loose surface-oriented groups and show dark bars across the body that fade when the fish is calm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Mesonauta
- Scientific name: Mesonauta egregius
- Described by Kullander & Silfvergrip, 1991
Habitat
The species is native to the Orinoco River basin, occurring in the Meta and Vichada river systems. It inhabits shallow freshwater among aquatic vegetation, consistent with the genus preference for slow-moving, vegetated waters.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L (about 53 gal)
- Temperature: 25-29 °C (77-84 °F)
- pH: 5.0-6.8
- GH: 1-6 °dGH
- Group size: 4 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
FishBase reports a maximum standard length of about 8.2 cm, a pH from roughly 4.8 upward, soft water and temperatures up to about 30 °C; the aquarium ranges above reflect typical husbandry.
Diet
Mesonauta egregius is an omnivore with a FishBase trophic level around 3.3. In captivity it accepts prepared, frozen and live foods together with vegetable matter, fed twice daily.
Compatibility
Peaceful and mid-water dwelling, the species suits soft-water community aquariums alongside discus, Geophagus, larger tetras and bristlenose plecos. Tiny tetras and aggressive cichlids are not recommended.
Breeding
The species is a substrate spawner. As in the wider genus, a bonded pair guards eggs and fry, though detailed breeding notes for this species are limited.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed in 2020.
Orinoco Festivum (Mesonauta egregius) Breeding Guide
Overview
Mesonauta egregius is a festivum endemic to the Meta and Vichada river basins, both tributaries of the Orinoco in Colombia, reaching a standard length of up to 8.2 cm. It is typically found near aquatic plants in shallow water. Species-specific breeding accounts are scarce, so the reproductive behaviour here follows the closely related Mesonauta festivus.
Sexing
In Mesonauta, the male is generally larger and shows longer extensions to the dorsal and anal fins; otherwise sexing is unreliable, so allowing a group to pair off is the usual approach.
Conditioning
Keep a small group and condition prospective breeders on a varied omnivorous diet. Soft, slightly acidic water in keeping with its Orinoco range helps bring fish into spawning condition.
Breeding Setup
- Soft, slightly acidic water reflecting its natural range
- A flat stone or broad surface as a spawning site
- Planted cover and a quiet, undisturbed location
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
In Mesonauta the pair prepares a flat stone or similar area, after which the female deposits the eggs and the male fertilises them. Over 200 eggs may be laid in a single spawn, hatching in about 2-3 days.
Egg & Fry Care
Both parents guard the eggs, move the fry to a pit and the larvae become free-swimming roughly 3-4 days after hatching. Newly hatched brine shrimp and powdered fry foods are suitable until the young can take larger items.
Common Challenges
Mesonauta are easily spooked, which can lead nervous parents to eat their fry; a quiet location and minimal disturbance, or rearing the fry separately, improve survival.