Red Devil

The Red Devil Cichlid (Amphilophus labiatus) is a large, aggressive, and highly territorial freshwater fish known for its vibrant colors, strong personality, and powerful jaw structure. It is a favorite among cichlid enthusiasts due to its intelligence and interactive behavior, often recognizing and interacting with its owner.

Scientific Name:

Amphilophus labiatus

Maximum Size:

• Males can grow up to 14 inches (35 cm).
• Females are slightly smaller, around 10-12 inches (25-30 cm).

Native Region:

• Found in Lakes Nicaragua and Managua in Central America.
• Inhabits rocky lake beds and open water areas.

Diet (Carnivorous or Omnivorous?)

• Omnivorous, but prefers a high-protein diet.
• In the wild, they eat small fish, crustaceans, insects, plant matter, and algae.
• In captivity, they thrive on:
  ✅ High-quality cichlid pellets (protein-rich)
  ✅ Live or frozen foods (shrimp, krill, bloodworms)
  ✅ Fresh vegetables (spinach, zucchini, peas)
  ❌ Avoid fatty foods and feeder fish, as they can cause health issues.

Lifespan:

• Typically 10-15 years, but can live up to 20 years with excellent care.

Breeding Season & Behavior:

• Breeds year-round in captivity if conditions are ideal.
• Highly aggressive during breeding, often attacking tank mates and even their owner.
• Pairs form strong bonds and both parents aggressively protect their eggs and fry.
• Eggs are laid on rocks, caves, or flat surfaces, and the fry hatch in 3-5 days.

Best Tank Mates:

Red Devil Cichlids are extremely aggressive and territorial, so tank mates should be chosen carefully.

✅ Other large, aggressive cichlids (such as Jaguar Cichlid, Flowerhorn, Midas Cichlid)
✅ Large armored catfish (Plecos, Synodontis)
✅ Large, fast-moving fish (such as Silver Dollars, Pacu)

🚫 Avoid:

• Smaller fish (they will be attacked or eaten).
• Peaceful or slow-moving fish (they will be bullied).
• Other Red Devils of the same sex (unless in a massive tank, as they will fight).

Ideal Tank Conditions:

• Tank Size: 75 gallons minimum for a single fish, 125+ gallons for a pair.
• Temperature: 75-80°F (24-27°C)
• pH: 6.5-7.5 (prefers slightly neutral to slightly alkaline water).
• Water Hardness: Moderate.
• Filtration: Strong filtration is needed due to their high waste production.
• Décor:
  • Provide large rocks, caves, and hiding spots.
  • Use heavy decorations, as they will dig and rearrange the tank.
  • Avoid delicate plants, as they will destroy or uproot them.

⚠ Important Note:

• Extremely aggressive and territorial, best kept in species-only tanks or with equally aggressive fish.
• Highly interactive, often responding to their owner.
• Will bite if provoked, so be cautious when maintaining the tank.
• Best for experienced cichlid keepers due to their size, aggression, and tank requirements.