Freshwater Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 12–15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 200 litres
- Temperature
- 24–30 °C
Species profile
Flag Cichlid
Mesonauta festivus
Common names: Flag Cichlid, Festive Cichlid
Recognized speciesCichlids
Adult size
Up to 18 cm
Typical adult length 12–18 cm.
Up to 18 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- Mature planted aquarium setups
- Intermediate shrimp keepers
Think carefully if
- The aquarium contains shrimp-eating fish
- The tank is newly cycled
- Water conditions change frequently
A tall, social Amazonian cichlid that swims among vegetation and branches and is best maintained in a calm group.
Appearance and Identification
A laterally compressed silver to olive cichlid with a bold diagonal stripe from the mouth toward the dorsal fin and subtle vertical bars.
Several Mesonauta species are sold as festivus. The diagonal stripe, bar pattern, scale counts, and locality should be checked.
Sexes are similar. Mature males may be larger with longer fin tips, while females become fuller before spawning.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 600–900 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 300–450 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 300 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 150 cm
- Minimum group size
- 5
- Recommended group size
- 6
- Activity level
- Moderate
- Flow preference
- Low
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Low
Keep a group in a tall planted aquarium with open swimming space, vertical branches, floating cover, broad leaves, and gentle filtration.
Behaviour and Tankmates
Generally peaceful and social, but breeding pairs defend vertical spawning sites.
Best in a group of five or more. Pairs form within the group and should have space to separate.
Pair aggression is focused around eggs and larvae rather than the entire tank in a spacious setup.
Suitable with peaceful medium-sized Amazonian fish. Very small fish and shrimp may be eaten, and fin-nippers should be avoided.
Water Parameters
Warm soft to moderately mineralised water is suitable. Stable water and calm surroundings reduce skittish behaviour.
Parameter caveat
The fish can jump when frightened. Use a secure lid and avoid aggressive tank mates.
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Manual aquarium siphon and gravel cleaner
A manual siphon for routine aquarium water changes and accessible waste removal. The seller lists a hose approximately 1.6 m long.
Control the flow and keep the intake clear of fish and delicate planting. Clean the areas appropriate for your substrate and layout rather than disturbing the entire planted bed.
Daraz NepalCheck availability on Daraz
Feeding
- Diet types
- Herbivore, Insectivore, Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Quality sinking cichlid pelletUse a staple pellet appropriate to the fish size and mouth shape.
- Chopped shrimp, mussel, or earthwormOffer clean unseasoned portions as rotating protein foods.
- Blanched leafy greens or peasUseful for omnivorous and plant-eating species; remove leftovers promptly.
- Frozen krill or mysisFeed in moderation to add variety and support colour.
An omnivore taking insects, crustaceans, fruits, seeds, plant material, and prepared foods.
Include plant material and floating or slowly sinking foods. Avoid a protein-only diet.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Egg Layer, Substrate Spawner
- Breeding difficulty
- Moderate
- Breeding temperature
- 27 °C
- Breeding pH
- 6.5
- Brood or egg count
- Several hundred eggs.
- Incubation
- 3 days
- Parental care
- Biparental care
- Baby foods
- Newly hatched brine shrimpSuitable after yolk absorption for most cichlid fry.
- Crushed high-quality cichlid pelletIntroduce gradually as fry grow.
- Finely chopped frozen cyclopsUseful supplementary food for larger fry.
A biparental substrate spawner that commonly places eggs on a vertical leaf, branch, or other upright surface.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Amazon Basin, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, South America
- Natural habitat
- Floodplain, Slow River, Vegetated Shoreline
- Aquarium contexts
- Freshwater Aquarium, Freshwater Community, Large Freshwater Aquarium, Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Intermediate
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Mesonauta
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Species group
- Cichlids, Fish, South American Cichlids
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German Blue Ram Cichlid
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi var. "German Blue"
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 4–6 cm
- Minimum tank
- 60 litres
- Temperature
- 27–31 °C
Gold Ram Cichlid
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi var. "Gold"
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 4–6 cm
- Minimum tank
- 60 litres
- Temperature
- 27–31 °C
Kelberi Peacock Bass
Cichla kelberi
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 35–50 cm
- Minimum tank
- 1200 litres
- Temperature
- 24–30 °C