Red Devil Cichlid

Red devil cichlid belonging to the cichlid family is a large species indigenous to certain parts of Central America. It shares its name with another fish of its family, namely the Amphilophus citrinellus, commonly referred to as Midas Cichlid. Their coloration and immense aggressiveness earn them the name red devil.

Quick Information

Scientific Name	Amphilophus labiatus
Origin	Lake Nicaragua and Lake Managua in Central America
Type	Freshwater fish
Conservation Status	Not recorded
Behavioral Characteristics	Active and energetic but aggressive and territorial especially upon maturation, going to the extent of damaging aquarium equipment in a bid to get at their prey
School Size	Not fit for schooling owing to their aggression
Physical Traits	Robust, stocky body; pointed dorsal and anal fins; razor-sharp teeth, as well as powerful jaws, helping the fish to bite their prey with force
Colors	Bright red or even white and yellow with black bands or spots on its fins and tail; orange or black lips
Size (How big do they get)	Large; 15 inches (38.1 cm)
Growth Rate	Steady, growing up to 1 or 1.5 inches a month, taking 3 years since its birth to attain its complete size
Lifespan (How long do they live)	10 – 12 years
Sexual Dimorphism	Male: Big with a pointed papilla and a nuchal hump that gets prominent during the breeding period Female: Smaller with a blunt papilla devoid of any nuchal hump
Probable Diseases	Ich
Approximate Price (How much is it for)	$ 15 – 20

Tank Setup & Care Sheet Details

Care Level	Intermediate
Tank Size	55 gallons (208.1 liters) for a single fish; 120 gallons (454.2 liters)

Water Parameters

pH Level	6.0 – 8.0
Temperature	70 – 79 °F (23 – 27°C)
Hardness	6 – 15 dGH
Aquarium  Water Flow	Moderate

Tank Ambience

Lighting	Moderate
Substrate Type	Sand, along with woods and rocks to make provisions for hiding
Tank Mates	Compatible with:  Rosy barb, guppies, Albino shark, Asian Arowana; however, when dwelling with other fish they should either be kept in a mated pair or a large tank so that each gets sufficient space and need not fight with one another over their domain Incompatible with: Jack Dempsey, Oscar alongside all species that are smaller and less aggressive than it; other red devil cichlids too when kept in pairs
Suitable Position in the Tank	Bottom

Feeding

Diet	Pellets, flakes, ocean plankton, bloodworms, and brine shrimp
Frequency	2 – 3 times a day

Important Things to Know for Fish Keepers

• Avoid keeping live plants as substrates since they might indulge in digging into it.
• They have an instinct to dig and mark their territory, which is why you often hear sounds of rocks or pebbles moving. It is essential to opt for a bigger tank, especially if there are a lot of inmates, each willing to establish its domain.
• The red devil cichlid might sometimes undergo a color change and appear black on parts of its fins and also lips. There is not much to worry about if the fish is otherwise healthy, and no abnormal symptoms are detected as they go through color changes as they grow.

FAQs