Red Terror
Mesoheros festae
Also known as: Festae Cichlid, True Red Terror
One of the most aggressive cichlids in the hobby. Females are more colorful than males, displaying brilliant orange-red banding.
Tank Size
75 gal
minimum (125+ preferred)
Temperature
75–84°F
24–29°C
pH Range
6–7.5
water acidity
Max Size
16"
40.6 cm
Lifespan
12–15 years
typical in captivity
Swim Level
Middle
preferred zone
Care Notes
Extremely aggressive — often best kept in a species-only setup or with very large, robust tank mates. Needs powerful filtration.
Feeding
Large pellets, frozen silversides, earthworms, krill. Voracious appetite.
Compatible Tank Mates
None identified.
Use Caution With
Incompatible With
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