{"product_id":"festivum-cichlid-mesonauta-festivus","title":"Festivum Cichlid | Mesonauta festivus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Festivum is a peaceful, angelfish-shaped South American cichlid marked by a bold dark stripe running diagonally from snout to dorsal fin. Calm, graceful and happy in the company of angels and discus, it is a gentle giant of the planted community tank, reaching around 15cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMesonauta festivus is widespread across northern South America — Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay — living in slow, vegetated margins of rivers and floodplains among submerged branches and overhanging plants. It naturally shares water with angelfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA laterally-compressed, disc-shaped cichlid in silvery-gold tones crossed by the signature diagonal black band, with elegant, slightly extended fins. Its calm, drifting swimming style adds to the resemblance to angelfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGenerally peaceful and a little shy, becoming more assertive and territorial only when breeding. It suits a calm community of medium-sized, non-aggressive fish. Give it cover, as nervous individuals appreciate places to retreat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore. Feed a varied diet of quality flake and pellets, frozen and live foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp, plus some vegetable matter. A varied diet keeps colour and condition good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a roomy, well-planted tank with driftwood and gentle flow, and soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic to neutral water on the warm side. Peaceful and undemanding once settled, making it a good first \"larger\" cichlid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn open substrate-spawner that pairs off and lays eggs on a leaf, branch or flat surface, with both parents guarding the eggs and fry. A settled pair in a quiet tank will breed readily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMesonauta festivus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFestivum \/ Flag Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNorthern South America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~15cm (occasionally to 20cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8-10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (territorial when breeding)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner to Intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 litres+\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24-28°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0-7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-15 dGH (soft to moderately hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCalm community and South American tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMostly — may nibble soft plants but rarely destructive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAngelfish, discus, larger tetras, peaceful catfish such as corydoras and larger plecos, and other calm medium-sized community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAggressive or boisterous cichlids, fin-nippers, and very small fish that may be eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize options reflect the sizes we stock; any shown as sold out will return as we restock. Australian livestock for in-store collection or local delivery, with our live arrival guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232809828643,"sku":"AA2588","price":22.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232809861411,"sku":null,"price":27.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232809894179,"sku":null,"price":32.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Festivum_Cichlid_84a0b634-a4a6-4501-8a98-533023c686f7.jpg?v=1781699421","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/festivum-cichlid-mesonauta-festivus","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}