This fish is a beautiful but fierce cichlid and is bright red. Fish has a temperament and a personality that go hand in hand. There’s a reason its common name is Cichlid Red Devil!
This cichlid grows a bit as it matures. Very aggressive and territorial. It is not a good idea to accompany this cichlid shell. If you put another male red demon in the tank, they’ll probably try to kill each other, so don’t try that.
They chase the small fish in the tank and kill them. You can “play” like a dog, follow the owner, or ask for food. Sometimes he bites your finger, so be careful!
| Name: | Red Devil Cichlid |
| Scientific name: | Amphilophus labiatus (formerly known as Cichlasoma labiatum ) |
| Group: | freshwater |
| Size of the fishing: | 38.10 cm |
| Temperament: | Extremely aggressive and territorial. |
| Required aquarium size: | extra large |
| Where it floats: | around the bottom |
| Level of difficulty of care: | Medium |
| Well associated with: | Very aggressive. It’s best to keep just one pair in a tank for yourself. |
Origin of Red Devil Cichlid
This freshwater fish is native to Central America in several lakes in Nicaragua, such as Lake Managua or Lake Nicaragua. It has been introduced to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Singapore.
These freshwater fish were previously known as Cichlasoma labiatum. They like to live in open water and are rarely found in rivers. They are found swimming along cracked rocks. Fish do this when they need to retreat; so they can hide among the rocks.
Its habitat is very dangerous. It is the only freshwater lake in Central America with a large population of bull sharks. They have a lifespan of 10 to 12 years or more when cared for properly and with care. This fish is called a red devil for a reason.
This is because he has an aggressive demeanor, big teeth, and strong jaws.
Red Devil Cichlid Appearance
They are usually a deep, bright red and will brighten up any tank. Their fins are pointed—especially the anal and dorsal fins. The usual size of the red devil cichlid is 38 cm.
In the wild, they are known to be dark brown to grey, which helps them adapt to their surroundings. In the aquarium, however, they are usually bright red, amber, and sometimes white. They have red, plump, rubbery lips that are sometimes black. In nature, their mouths are enormous.
How to Find Male or Female Red Devil Cichlids?
Here, you can get the answer to how to know a red devil cichlid is male or female.
- Marks and Colors: Men have a bump on their head.
- Size and Shape: Men are taller than women and have sharper pelvic and anal fins.
- Behavior: During the breeding season, males become aggressive and territorial.
Even if you have followed all of the above and still can’t tell, don’t worry. You can check with your vet or a local expert.
Red Devil Cichlid Breeding Behavior
Breeding these fish is not the best idea for beginners. They rejoice as the breeding season progresses, so you need to be careful.
Before starting the process, make sure that the fish you plan to breed are removed from the tank. Otherwise, the other fish will be harassed endlessly.
Red devil cichlids are monogamous. Once you make your decision, you will keep this fish for the rest of your life. The breeding season can be a frightening time for all the fish in the tank. You don’t want him to hurt himself.
They will mate and reproduce. Like other cichlids, lay a flat stone so that they can lay their eggs. The female lays the eggs in the rock, and the male fertilizes them. On average, it will have a coupling size of 600-700.
Provide plenty of hiding places in the breeding area. This gives the fish a chance to take a break if needed. Both parents protect and raise eggs. The female takes care of them when they are in the eggs, and they hatch after three to four days.
From birth, parents will take the child to a hole dug in the sand. They live in their egg sacks for the first week, then swim freely.
Now you have to feed them. The recommended food is artificial cichlid food. Or finely chopped flake food. Once they have grown, you can provide them to feed other Red Devil Cichlids.
Red Devil Cichlids Tank Maintenance and Care
Red Devil Cichlids are easy to maintain in terms of tank maintenance and care. However, due to their aggressive nature, they have a certain level of difficulty in dealing with it.
In-tank conditions, are pretty straightforward, as long as you keep the tank water clean. They are not rigorous for specific waters; they have high tolerance values. But meet the requirements that I have listed here.
Please do not keep them in groups, alone, or in pairs. Try to buy a female and a male and keep them together in the tank. Imagine them as early in life as possible. When they reach sexual maturity, they are ready for reproduction.
This makes the selection process much more comfortable.
The smallest tank size for a single fish is a 558-gallon (208 L) tank. If you keep a pair, you need something much bigger. A 1508 gallon (568 L) tank is the optimum size for torque.
Although they need a large aquarium, all problems are worth avoiding. These fish need hiding places. Sometimes the couple needs a break from each other. They are also territorial, so make sure the tank is large enough that each fish has its territory.
Flat rocks are essential as this is where females breed (as is the case with most cichlids). Red devils love to dig, make sure the plants you put are artificial.
This fish can tolerate most aquatic conditions. Remember that it attacks heaters and filters. They can also damage aquarium equipment.
Secure them to the walls with suction cups. You can also hide them behind a row of stones.
Put stones on the sides of the tank. Working the rocks makes these fish feel safe, provides hiding places, and generally reduces aggression.
Put barriers on heaters to prevent fish from injuring themselves. A word about these animals: it may be of a disease of the line side or a whole head vulnerable.
Keep the tank off when not performing any maintenance. Red devil cichlids have a terrible habit of jumping out of the aquarium.
IMPORTANT Note:
Tank Setup Guide
You need to change the water every week. These fish are subject to changes in water conditions, including pollutants and pH instability. Change 15-20% of the water.
A cartridge filter helps prevent unwanted water conditions. Like doomed cichlids, these fish are foul! They produce a lot of waste. Consider a double filter. They also move the decorations, and make sure everything is attached.
When replacing the water, use a gravel cleaner to clean the sides of the tank to remove any build-up of corrosive organic substances. These species of fish do not have special lighting requirements, keep it regular.
- Bottom liner: The bottom of the tank should be covered with sand.
- Flow of water: The flow in the water should be moderate.
Tank Temperature:
Red Devil cichlids need a warm tank. The best tank temperature for these fish is 23-26 ° C. During the breeding season. However, the water temperature for the red devils should be 25 ° C.
PH value and hardness: Your pH value must be between 6.0 and 8.0. The water in the tank must be tough to keep the fish healthy. 6-25 GH.
Suitable Red Devil Cichlids Tank Mates
As this fish is aggressive, giving tank mates is not a good idea. If other male large red devils are placed in the tank with another male, they will attempt to kill each other. They hunt and kill smaller species of fish.
Sometimes a couple of men and women will tolerate in the same tank. Other large Central American fish were sometimes suitable tank companions. Make sure they can protect themselves. (Examples: Firemouth cichlids, Condemn cichlids and Jaguar cichlids)
Give your fish plenty of places to hide, such as rocks, wood, and artificial plants. Don’t worry about the actual plants.
You can keep red devils with other fish as they grow. However, keep in mind. These fish will not tolerate other fish in your aquarium once they are fully mature. The only other fish they sometimes tolerate in the same tank are other red devils.
However, it is unreliable, and tolerance depends on each fish. More excellent concealment is not guaranteed to prevent fish from becoming aggressive. This also applies to fish that try to conquer more territory and are rude to other fish.
In short, it is best to keep fish singly or in pairs.
Red Devil Cichlids Feed
In nature, they have a varied diet. Red devil cichlids eat worms, small fish, snails, and other creatures that live on the ground. Since it is omnivorous, it will need certain plant-based foods, but mostly meat-based foods. Get these fish on a varied diet, don’t overfeed them, or feed them the same food over and over again.
In terms of feeding frequency, they should be given two to three meals a day in moderate amounts.
- Shellfish: Shrimp or prawns, frozen or fresh, are a good staple
- Artificial Foods: Cichlid pellets or flakes can also work.
- Insect larvae are a good idea in moderation.
- The ideal diet to give would be shrimp, shrimp, frozen worms, blood worms, and plant foods.
- Plant-based foods: finely chopped spinach and cucumbers.
Food To Avoid: Red meat: It is not part of their natural diet; it contains too much protein and fat for this fish.
What Can I Feed My Baby Red Devil Cichlid?
You can feed your baby with Cichlid Red Devil artificial food specially designed for frying or grinding cichlid flakes or pellets.
Despite the hot temper and unpredictability of the fish, it is a pleasant fish to have in your aquarium. Its bright and bold pattern brings vibrant colors to the tank. Is something missing from this article or do you have a question? Let me know in a comment below.
