Red Devil Cichlid

Distribution:
   The Red Devil was described by Günther in 1864. They are found in South America in the Nicaraguan lakes; Nicaragua, Managua, and Xiloa. Inhabiting open waters, rarely entering rivers, they feed on small fish, snails, insect larvae, worms, and other bottom-dwelling organisms

Status:
   This species is not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Description:
   The body of the Red Devil is robust and stocky. It has a great deal of variability in its structure and coloration. Some are bright red while others are white or yellow. Some have a black-tipped tail and fins. The lips can be black too, or they can be thick rubbery orange lips. They can live up to 12 years.

Photo Courtesy: Nick

Size - Weight:
   Red Devils get up to 15 inches (38 cm). This is a rather large fish!

Care and feeding:
   Since they are omnivorous the Red Devil Cichlid will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a high quality flake food or pellet everyday. Feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen), blood worms, or other live foods as a treat. Older books have listed them as carnivores because they will eat or attack most other fish.
   South American cichlids tend to be less aggressive than their african cousins, but space is very important. Larger South American Cichlids need a lot of room. A minimum 55 gallon aquarium is suggested for a single fish, 125 gallons for a pair, and 200 gallons if keeping several large cichlids. They need moderate water movement along with strong efficient filtration. Provide a bottom of fine sand and plenty of hiding places among rocks and wood. They are avid diggers and plants don't fare so well as they will be eaten or shredded. Make sure rocks are well bedded on the actual glass bottom of the tank to prevent toppling. Leave an open area in the center for swimming.
   The Red Devil is a rewarding specimen for the aquarist as it is moderately easy to keep as long as the aquarium is large enough and and the water quality is maintained. They are subject to infections as well as other diseases that ail all freshwater fish, especially if water is stale and of poor quality and oxygenation. Ich is easily treated with an elevated temperature of 86° F for a few days. To help prevent the notorious 'Hole-in-the-Head' disease (HLLE - Head and Lateral Line Disease) that large cichlids are prone to, do water changes of 20 to 25% a week, depending on bio load. Hard water can also contribute to Hole-in-the-Head disease, so using driftwood can help pull the pH down if you have very hard water. Intestinal disease can be treated with metronidazol.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   These fish will swim in all areas of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
Although they are undemanding as far as water conditions, the following parameters are suggested:
   Hardness: fairly soft.
   Ph: 6.5 to 7.0
   Temp: 75-79° F 24-26° C

Social Behaviors:
   Red Devils are known for their aggressiveness, thus the name Red Devil. They are very territorial and are occasionally very rude toward conspecifics (same species) as well as heterospecifics (other species). For this reason they are often kept by themselves. They are known to be diggers and will often rearrange the gravel and aquarium decor. Make sure any aquarium rocks or decorations are placed on the bottom of the aquarium or undergravel filter if you have one. Also, plants may be uprooted.

Egg Spawn Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Harriett Porter

Sexual Differences:
   The male Red Devil grows larger than the female. The male has a pointed genital papilla, the female's is blunt.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   The Red Devil is an open spawner with a patriarch-matriarch family. Typical open spawners, they prefer to spawn on inclined substrates. The spawn is usually around 600-700 eggs which are a transparent, amber-yellow color. The female takes care of the initial brood. At 25 deg. C the larvae hatch after about 3 days. After another 5-7 days they become free swimming. They can be nourished with Artemia nauplii. At 2-3 weeks old the young will also graze on their parents skin for additional food. See a general description of cichlid breeding habits in Breeding Freshwater Fish.

Buy Red Devil From LiveAquaria.com

Availability:
   The Red Devil Cichlid is readily available both online and in fish stores, and is usually not very expensive as a juvenile, ranging from about $5.00 - $7.00 USD. Adults in excellent breeding condition are less common and can range from about $20.00 - $30.00.

Author: David Brough, CFS