Red Terror - Festae

The Red Terror, also known as Festae Cichlid and Harlequin Cichlid, is one of the most attractive of the large American Cichlids. These freshwater fish are native to southern Mexico and Norther Central America. Red terror cichlids can be extremely violent and aggressive and can harm their tankmates, which is why caring for this fish can be tricky. The mature males are predominantly green and mature females become brick-red. An excellent fish for anyone who loves large powerful fish. Buy Live Fish online with Coburg Aquarium in Australia

Please Note: Livestock and Live Plants cannot be shipped to WA and TAS due to State Restrictions. All other states are OK.

Features of Red Terror Cichlid:

• The mature males are predominantly green and mature females become brick-red. Both male and female have stripes and spots that run down the length of their body
• Mature male Red terrors have a more pronounced hump than the mature
• They are hard to breed due to pairing problems - they will select their own partner
• The Red Terror Cichlids average lifespan : 12-20 years

 

Red Terror Cichlid: Care, Diet and Tank Mates

The Best Aquarium Size for Red Terror Cichlid:

It is recommened to use the biggest tank you can possibly manage. Because red terrors may grow to tremendous sizes, a tank capacity of 600L for one fish is recommended.

After an Aquarium for your fish? Browse Aquarium Tank Selection here.

Red Terror Cichlid Tank Mate Compatibility:

Very territorial and can sometimes be downright aggressive. Only house with similarly sized, similarly aggressive, robust fish. Anything which the red terror can fit in its large mouth will be seen as food. Possible tank mates you can consider are:

• Firemouth Cichlid
• Flowerhorn Cichlids
• Bristlenose Pleco
• Convict Cichlids
• Clown Pleco

Red Terror Cichlid Food :

Great diet ideas include feeder fish, commerical food, bloodworms, brine shrimp, and crickets. Some good commerical food brands for this fish:

• Hikari Cichlid Fish Food
• OSI Cichlid Premier Pellets (M)
  
• Fish Fuel Frozen Cichlid Food
• Bloodworms
• Dried blackworms
• Brine Shrimp

You can search more Red Terror Cichlid food in our High Quality Fish Foods collections.

Red Terror Cichlid Tank Setup:

Aquarium Filtration

Red terrors are very sensitive to water conditions, so you will need a powerful canister filter or biological filter. And they also enjoy a strong flow of water, you add a pump into their tanks. Here are some great brands to consider:

• Aqua One Internal Filters, Canister Filters, Hang On Filters
• Eheim Classic Canister Filter with Media
• Fluval Internal Filter, Hang On Filter, Canister Filter
• Oase Internal Filters, Canister Filters

Power head Brands:

• Dymax Powerhead
• Oase OptiMax Pump
• Sicce Voyager Aquarium Pump

Aquarium Heater

The aquarium should be heated, depending on your area’s climate. Install an aquarium heater if necessary.

Aquatic Plants

Red Terror Cichlid love to dig up the plants. Fill your tank with hardy plants like Anubias and java ferns. Or live aquarium plants that attach to driftwood and rocks, or potted plants are recommended, like Anubias on Driftwood, Aquarium Plants in pot. Check our Live Aquarium Plants here.

Aquarium Decorations

You can scatter rocks and gravel at the bottom of the tank to give them nice hiding spots. You can also use upturned flowerpots to decorate your tank. Ideal Ornaments for your tank:

• biOrb Ornaments Collections
• Aqua One Ornaments Collections
• Kazoo Ornaments Collections
• Bonsai Driftwood Collections
• Big Rocks and Coves are only avalibale in Coburg Aquarium physical store

Aquarium Substrate

Sand and fine gravel are good ones for them.

A variety of Substrates are available at Coburg Aquarium.