“Cichlasoma” festae pair with fry. Image: Thomas Weidner/Amazonas.

Species: “Cichlasoma” festae (formerly Heros festae)
Common Names: Red Terror, Guayas Cichlid, Festae, Festae Cichlid

Native Range: South America (Pacific drainages). Ecuador (Rio Esmeraldas) and Peru (Rio Tumbes)
Introduced Population: Singapore (said to be thriving)

Maximum Size: Males to 20 inches (50 cm) | Females to 12 inches (30 cm)

Breeding: Females can lay more than 3,000 eggs in a nest that is usually created in a cave or amongst rockwork. Even experts consider them a challenge to breed because they are so fiercely territorial and aggressive that deaths can occur during attempts to create pairs.

See the January/February 2014 Issue of AMAZONAS for more on the genus “Cichalsoma”.

SOURCES
Fishbase
Seriously Fish