Red Terror (Mesoheros festae) Care Guide
Mesoheros festae, the red terror, is a large, highly aggressive cichlid from Pacific drainages of Ecuador and Peru.
Overview
Mesoheros festae, the red terror, is a large South American cichlid. FishBase records it from Pacific drainages between the Esmeraldas River in Ecuador and the Tumbes River in Peru, including the Guayas system. Females develop bright red and black vertical bars during the breeding period.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Mesoheros
- Scientific name: Mesoheros festae
- Common synonyms: Cichlasoma festae
Habitat
It is a freshwater, benthopelagic species occurring in a range of biotopes from small to medium-sized rivers in coastal Ecuador and northern Peru (FishBase).
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 800 L
- Temperature: 26-28 °C (79-82 °F)
- pH: 7.0-8.0
- GH: 8-18 °dGH
- Maximum size: about 25-35 cm
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
Diet
It is a carnivore. FishBase notes it feeds on benthic organisms such as small shrimps, and reports describe a wider diet of small fish, crustaceans and other invertebrates. In the aquarium it accepts live and frozen foods such as shrimp and insect larvae.
Compatibility
The red terror is highly aggressive and territorial, especially during breeding, and requires a large dedicated tank. Few companions are suitable; large, robust plecos are sometimes kept with it.
Breeding
It is a substrate spawner. Pairing is difficult because males may kill females during pair formation; the female lays eggs on clean substrate or in caves and both parents guard the nest and fry.