Mesonauta festivus

Mesonauta festivus, the Festivum or Flag Cichlid, is one of the most elegant South American cichlids in the hobby. Native to the Bolivian and Peruvian Amazon and associated floodplain lagoons, it inhabits slow, heavily vegetated waters rich in tannins. Its most distinctive feature is the bold diagonal black stripe running from the mouth to the tip of the dorsal fin, combined with a reddish-orange iris. Festivums are peaceful fish that cohabit exceptionally well with discus and angelfish due to similar water parameter requirements. They appreciate dense planting and dimmer lighting.

Water: 24–29°C, pH 5.5–7.5, soft to moderately soft (GH 2–12). Tank: Minimum 200L; densely planted with Echinodorus and Vallisneria; driftwood and leaf litter welcome. Feeding: Omnivore; quality flake, cichlid pellets, frozen bloodworm, daphnia, and brine shrimp. Breeding: Spawns on broad leaves; forms monogamous pairs; parental care is devoted but fry can be delicate. Compatibility: Excellent with discus, angelfish, large tetras, and peaceful catfish.