Argentea vs. Festae

[duanes]

One thing to consider might be your tap water parameters
Festae come from the soft, neutral pH of the Rio Tumbes, west of the Andes
Argentea come from the hard, higher pH (7.5 to 8) waters of Mexico.
I have kept both, and both and to me, they are equally attractive.
I agree with Kevin, that the best way to raise them, would be to get a half dozen juvies, of either species, and grow them out together allowing a pair to form and bond on its own.

 

[Bret Signorelli]

Festae

 

[bigfishbob]

I am going with Argentea. My water is great for central. I used to have Oscar's and no matter how many water changes and varieties of food I would feed, I would get hole in the head. I'm sure it's my water.
Festae are beautiful. Maybe after the Argentea.

 

[troublesum]

I vote Festae but again I'm partial to Festae IME Festae are either hot or cold when trying to sell of extras last year i seen 3-4in festae going for $100-$200 bucks and people were buying. now for the last 2 months i have been trying to sell a 6in F1 female for $40 bucks no buyers. Never kept Argentea but the last year or so i've been checking them out good looking fish when mature

 

[bigfishbob]

I vote Festae but again I'm partial to Festae IME Festae are either hot or cold when trying to sell of extras last year i seen 3-4in festae going for $100-$200 bucks and people were buying. now for the last 2 months i have been trying to sell a 6in F1 female for $40 bucks no buyers. Never kept Argentea but the last year or so i've been checking them out good looking fish when mature

I'm sure there is some kind of market for festae here in Toronto, but I never took account of water parameters when comparing the fish. We have hard water over here. It's not the worst water in terms of tds, but it makes keeping saltwater and central american cichlids a breeze.
I never raised an unattractive Dempsey, gold sum, convict, etc; but, I have raised Oscars that always seem to get hole in the head.
At this point the only other fish I would consider besides argentea, would be amphilophus Lyonsi.

 

[Alexxxxsv14]

A pair of Argentea would be awesome. I’ve kept them before and loved watching them grow and mature. Stunning specimens

 

[Milingu]

I would always prefer argentea over festae. The only big pro for festae is that they look good way earlier than argentea when you raise them. Argentea takes a while (2+ years) to show it's full beauty.

 

[bigfishbob]

I would always prefer argentea over festae. The only big pro for festae is that they look good way earlier than argentea when you raise them. Argentea takes a while (2+ years) to show it's full beauty.

I'm in no rush