Festivum (Flag Cichlid)
Mesonauta festivus
Cichlidae
About
The festivum, or flag cichlid, is a tall, laterally compressed South American cichlid from the slow, vegetation-fringed creeks and flooded margins of the Amazon and Paraguay basins. Named for the bold dark stripe running diagonally from snout to dorsal fin, it is a peaceful, somewhat shy species that has long been prized as a classic companion for angelfish and discus in soft, warm blackwater community tanks.
Care
Keep a group of six or more in a long, well-planted tank of 200 litres or more with soft to neutral warm water, gentle flow, and driftwood or leaf cover for security. Peaceful but shy, so avoid boisterous or fin-nipping tankmates.
Diet
Opportunistic omnivore that takes small invertebrates, crustaceans, algae and plant matter in the wild; offer quality dry foods with regular frozen or live protein and some greens.
Tankmate compatibility
Possible with care (110)
Avoid (11)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.