TankBud

Red devil cichlid

Amphilophus labiatus

Also known as Red devil

FreshwaterFish

Red devil cichlid (Amphilophus labiatus)
AtelierMonpli · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–79°F
24–26°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
13.8 in
35 cm
Minimum tank
75 gal
284 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Easy
Rarity
Common
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lakes Nicaragua, Managua and Xiloa, Nicaragua

Overview

This is one of the most aggressive freshwater fish you can keep, so plan on a species-only tank with a single fish or an established pair and nothing else. Give them at least 284 liters, more for a pair, with strong filtration and weekly water changes to handle the heavy waste. They hold the middle of the water column and will charge anything that enters their space, including your hand. Keep the water at 24 to 26 C and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5, and shield or externalize heaters and filter intakes since they attack equipment. Feed a quality cichlid pellet as the base with the occasional meaty treat, and do not count on tankmates surviving.

In the wild

Red devils come from Lakes Nicaragua, Managua, and Xiloa in Nicaragua, open lake habitats with rock and sand where they dig and claim territory. To match that, give them a large tank with a deep bed of fine sand they can move around, since they bulldoze everything. Skip live plants because they will tear them up, and either anchor decor solidly or leave the tank mostly open. Keep the water at 24 to 26 C with a pH from 6.5 to 7.5.

Good to know

This is a cichlid in the family Cichlidae, growing to around 35 cm as an adult. It is a substrate spawner that lays eggs on flat rock, with both parents guarding the fry, and pairs breed readily once settled. A healthy fish can live well over a decade with good care.

Did you know

The name is misleading, since the color ranges from red all the way to plain white, with orange and mottled fish in between. Many also develop a large fatty hump on the forehead as they mature, more pronounced in dominant males.

Common questions

What size tank does a Red devil cichlid need?

A Red devil cichlid needs at least 75 gal (284 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Red devil cichlid need?

A Red devil cichlid is comfortable at 75–79°F (24–26°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

How big does a Red devil cichlid get?

An adult Red devil cichlid reaches about 13.8 in (35 cm).

Related species