New Festivum (Flag) Cichlids

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Jan 23, 2007
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Melbourne, Australia
Hi - just got two smallish Festivums (~1.5 - 2 inches) for one of my tanks. I have not kept them before.

One is slightly smaller than the other.

The larger one has settled in well - but is chasing the smaller one quite aggressively.

The smaller one show some small tears on his rear fin (presumeably there has been some "fin nipping"), and is showing his "I am scared" stripes quite often, perhaps most of the time.

They are both eating, and in a good sized tank.

Should i wait it out a bit, or is intervention needed?

Tks
 
Tank is cycled ?

How big is the tank ?

What kind of decor is there and other inhabitants ?

It can take a few days for them to settle in especially as they are new to each other, at least as a pair even if they came from the same LFS tank. However the problem in a tank is that there is no where for the beaten fish to run to, so it is a very tricky balance when introducing cichlids to each other.

How long have they been in there ?

I am presuming they went in at the same time correct ? If not, re-arranging the hardscape can help.

You could also consider a tank divider until they are of equal size and then try them again.

At the end of the day, cichlids basically choose their own company though - its too early however to say they won't settle down here.
 
Hi thanks - it's a long 100 gallon.

there are lots of plants and hiding places (wood, rocks), and the plants go to the top of the tank (I read that Festivums need this).

They have only been in there a week.

The "large" one is only marginally larger than the "small" one. They came from the same LFS tank and were two of about 20 in the LFS.

The "large" one is not picking on any of the other tank inhabitants.
 
Is this a different tank than the one in your sig?
 
Good luck with ur festivums. Ive never been able to find healthy ones, they always die within a week after looking pretty healthy for a while. :(
 
Festivums are considered fairly mild temperament in a community tank(biotope) but they are cichilds and may be less tolerant of their own kind.
their temperament is considered similar to angels.

that said. the tank should be large enough for the pair to survives but you may have one that is an alpha male personality. they may not tolerate another festivum of the same sex.

keep a watchful eye out and make sure the target has a place to hide.
 
^ x 2

Hopefully it is just a settling in process and they will find their pecking order. If the larger one stays relentlessly aggressive to the smaller one you may have to rehome one but fingers crossed.
 
I've had the same luck as Coler, and the good LFS store I bought from said they're constantly trying to get a good source for them, periodically stop stocking them because of bad stock, but then wait awhile and try again.

Mine have always died. :-(

Eric
 
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