Mesonauta mirificus Care Guide
Mesonauta mirificus is a flag cichlid (festivum) from the western Amazon, a surface-oriented species often seen in the aquarium trade.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Mesonauta mirificus is a flag cichlid, one of the festivum species most often seen in the aquarium trade. Members of the genus Mesonauta stay near the water surface in small groups. The species has a laterally compressed body and a diagonal stripe typical of flag cichlids.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Mesonauta
- Scientific name: Mesonauta mirificus
Habitat
According to FishBase, Mesonauta mirificus occurs in the Amazon River basin in Peru and Colombia, in tributaries of the Ucayali and Amazon rivers, in blackwater rivers among plants. Genus members favour streams and lakes with little water movement and aquatic vegetation, where they often stay near the surface.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 25-29 °C (77-84 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.2
- GH: 2-10 °dGH
- Group size: 4 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
- Adult size: about 10 cm SL (FishBase)
Diet
Mesonauta mirificus is an omnivore. In the aquarium it accepts quality prepared foods together with vegetable matter and live or frozen invertebrates.
Compatibility
Flag cichlids are peaceful and suited to community planted tanks. They occupy the upper-middle water column. Suitable companions are calm South American species; very small fish and aggressive cichlids should be avoided.
Wonderful Festivum (Mesonauta mirificus) Breeding Guide
Overview
Mesonauta mirificus is a festivum cichlid of the western Amazon basin in Peru and Colombia, reaching up to about 9.7 cm and typically found near plants in blackwater rivers. Species-specific breeding accounts are scarce, so the reproductive behaviour here follows the closely related Mesonauta festivus, which it resembles in habits.
Sexing
In Mesonauta, the male is generally larger and shows longer extensions to the dorsal and anal fins; otherwise external sexing is unreliable, so allowing a group to pair off is the usual route.
Conditioning
Keep a small group and condition prospective breeders on a varied omnivorous diet. Soft, slightly acidic water in keeping with its blackwater 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 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.