Can Head and Tail Light Tetra and Red Terror (Festa's Cichlid) Live Together?

Head and Tail Light Tetra is a peaceful species (1/10), while Red Terror (Festa's Cichlid) is highly aggressive (10/10). This notable difference means Red Terror (Festa's Cichlid) may occasionally assert dominance over Head and Tail Light Tetra.

Large aggression gap (9 points) between Head and Tail Light Tetra and Red Terror (Festa's Cichlid) increases stress risk for the more peaceful fish.

Head and Tail Light Tetra and Red Terror (Festa's Cichlid) both frequent the Middle (Open Water) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

There is a critical concern: the Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk) behaviour of one fish directly conflicts with the Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish) trait of the other — piscivorous fish will prey on nano-sized tank mates..

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 25°C and 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 26.5°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 4–15 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Head and Tail Light Tetra and Red Terror (Festa's Cichlid) together, plan for an aquarium of at least 450 litres with a minimum length of 150 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Plants - Densely covered, Leaf Litter/Blackwater, Sand (Sifters), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Note a potential conflict in setup requirements: Red Terror (Festa's Cichlid) is a plant destroyer, which conflicts with Head and Tail Light Tetra's requirement for live plants. Compromise where possible or prioritise the more critical need.

Both species do well with moderate (standard) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.

Head and Tail Light Tetra and Red Terror (Festa's Cichlid) are the kind of pair that can look acceptable in a shop but become a maintenance problem at home. The main risk is not a single number in the chart; it is the way incompatible behavior, water needs, or pressure on space compounds over time once both fish are established in the same tank.