TankBud

True red terror

Mesoheros festae

Also known as Red terror, Festae cichlid, Cichlasoma festae, Nandopsis festae, Guayas cichlid

FreshwaterFish

True red terror (Mesoheros festae)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
6.5–8.0
Adult size
17.7 in
45 cm
Minimum tank
151 gal
570 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Pacific coastal drainages from the Esmeraldas River in Ecuador to the Tumbes River in northern Peru, in clear and whitewater rivers.

Overview

The true red terror is a big, aggressive cichlid that needs a very large tank. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The name true red terror is also stuck on hybrids and look-alikes. Only the genuine species, Mesoheros festae, should carry that name.

Caring for the true red terror

Give a single adult male true red terror at least 151 gal (570 L). This large, powerful predator needs a lot of room. Provide sturdy rockwork, and expect the fish to rearrange the layout.

Keep the water at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 8.0. Feed a varied diet of pellets, frozen foods and the occasional whole prey item. Skip live feeder fish.

The true red terror is aggressive, so keep it alone or as a carefully watched pair. Choose any tank mates with caution.

Males reach about 17.7 in (45 cm), while females stay closer to 25 to 30 cm. Breeding males flush brilliant red-orange with black barring. Females guard eggs and fry so aggressively that a pair often needs a divider until both are ready to spawn. Breeding is of medium difficulty.

Good to know

Mesoheros festae is a member of the family Cichlidae. Boulenger described it in 1899, and it was long known as Cichlasoma festae.

In the wild

The true red terror lives in Pacific coastal rivers, from the Esmeraldas in Ecuador to the Tumbes in northern Peru. It is found in clear and whitewater rivers with rock and wood cover.

Common questions

What size tank does a true red terror need?

A true red terror needs at least 151 gal (570 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a true red terror need?

A true red terror is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.5–8.0.

What does a true red terror eat?

A true red terror is a predator. Feed it a varied diet of pellets, frozen foods and the occasional whole prey item, but skip live feeder fish.

How big does a true red terror get?

An adult true red terror reaches about 17.7 in (45 cm).

How can you tell a male true red terror from a female?

Males grow much larger than females, to about 17.7 in (45 cm) against 25 to 30 cm. Breeding males also flush brilliant red-orange with black barring.

How does a true red terror breed?

True red terror females guard their eggs and fry so aggressively that pairs often need a divider until they are ready to spawn. Breeding is of medium difficulty.

Related species