Red Devil Cichlid

The Red Devil Cichlid comes from Central America, namely Lake Nicaragua. This is perhaps one of the most appropriate common names of all fishes. It is called the "Red Devil Cichlid" because of it's aggressive behavior. If you're looking for a fish that will terrorize nearly any fish you put in the tank, then this fish is for you! There are many color varieties out there including red, white and variations having both colors. Maybe this is the result of cross breeding with other cichlids?

This is one fish that will redecorate the tank to it's liking. They love to dig and uproot plants, so you'll most likely end up taking the plants (plastic or real) out of the tank to prevent this. After they're done assaulting the other fish in the tank they like to retire to a peaceful cave they can call their own. All in a day's work, I guess. Seriously, this is one mean SOB that you don't want to keep with other smaller or less aggressive fish. Keep them singly or you may be able to keep them as a mated pair in a larger tank.

They will eat most everything you give them. This includes flakes, cichlid pellets, frozen foods, worms, crickets, and live feeder fish. Use caution when feeding feeder goldfish because of the disease element. Try to provide a balanced diet for them and not too much of the same foods all the time.

Males should be larger than females of the same age and may develop a nuchal hump on the head. They can be relatively easy to breed, provided that they get along. They will spawn on a flat rock and should be good parents, defending the fry until they are free swimming.

Photo Credit: Aron Day

Freshwater Fish Species Profile and Cichlid Care Information

Scientific Name : Amphilophus labiatus

Common Names : Red Devil Cichlid

Care Level : Easy to Moderate

Size : 10 - 12 inches (25 - 30 cm), possibly larger

pH : 6.5 - 7.5

Temperature : 75°F - 80°F (24°C - 27°C)

Lifespan : 10 years or longer

Origin / Habitat : Central America, in Lake Nicaragua and Lake Managua

Temperament / Behavior : Extremely aggressive cichlid that will not tolerate others in "their" tank. They will rearrange the tank to their liking and uproot plants.

Breeding / Mating / Reproduction : Breeds on flat rocks with the male and female both guarding the eggs. They should move the fry, once hatched (after 3 or 4 days), to a pit that they defend until the fry is free swimming. They should be free swimming between 5 and 7 days.

Tank Size : 55 gallon minimum for one Red Devil, much larger for multiples.

Compatible Tank Mates : Not many! They may or may not do ok with other, larger cichlids. You'll have best results keeping this fish by itself. You may be able to keep it with an opposite sexed red devils but watch for aggression.

Fish Disease :Freshwater Fish Disease- Diagnose, Symptoms and Treatment

Diet / Fish Food : Should accept most foods, including a good, balanced chichild pellet food, flakes and live foods. They will eat smaller fish.

Tank Region : All over the fish tank.

Gender : Females may be smaller and males may get a larger nuchal hump on the head. A nuchal hump is more common in male cichlids.