The Festive Cichlid, also known as the Festive Cichlid, makes a great addition to large fish tanks. They make a stunning addition to any aquarium and are quite beautiful. Their mild aggression and ease of care, makes the Festive Cichlid a desired fish for all aquarists.

While beautiful, the Festive Cichlid is aggressive to just about every other fish, including its own species. However, if kept in a large tank with other large aggressive fish that can fend for themselves, they won't be too much of a bother. The Angel Fish is a suggested tankmate. However, Festive Cichlids will most likely not be aggressive with other large aggressive fish. If you do put them with other fish, keep an eye on them. If they are beating up the other fish, you should probably separate them.

Festive Cichlid should be kept in large tanks with plenty of hiding places. This includes moderate rock and plant decoration. Live plants will most likely be eaten by the Festive Cichlid.

At maturity, the Festive Cichlid will reach a size of four to six inches. Their bodies are a silver-gray color, with light white stripes. They have one black stripe which marks their body from the mouth, through the eye and then through the rest of its body. Males have longer fins and a bump on their head. Males will also grow faster and larger than the females.

The Festive Cichlid, or Mesonauta festiva, is originally from the Central American countries of Panama, El Salvador, Honduras, and Costa Rica.

Festive Cichlid is fairly easy to care for. They should be kept in slightly acidic to neutral waters, with pH levels from 6.2 to 7.5 They will thrive in waters with a temperature range from 73 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. They should be fed vegetables, including spinach, zucchini, peas and lettuce. In addition, Festive Cichlids should be fed live foods, including small live fish, bloodworms, glass worms, brine shrimp and tubifex worms. Frozen, freeze dried and tablet foods will also be accepted.

Festive Cichlids are difficult to breed. Festive Cichlids need flat rocks to lay their eggs on. They will guard the fry and should not be removed after spawning.