Red devil cichlid
Amphilophus labiatus
Also known as Red devil
FreshwaterFish
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
- Substrate spawner · Easy
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lakes Nicaragua, Managua and Xiloa, Nicaragua
Overview
The red devil cichlid is a big lake cichlid from Nicaragua and one of the most aggressive freshwater fish you can keep. It needs a keeper with some experience.
Did you know
The red devil cichlid's name is misleading. Its color ranges from red all the way to plain white, with orange and mottled fish in between.
Caring for the red devil cichlid
A red devil cichlid needs at least 75 gal (284 L), and more for a pair. Use a deep bed of fine sand it can move around, since it bulldozes everything. Skip live plants, which it will tear up, and either anchor decor solidly or leave the tank mostly open.
Keep the water at 75 to 79°F (24 to 26°C) with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Run strong filtration and do weekly water changes to handle the heavy waste. Shield heaters and filter intakes, or move them outside the tank, since it attacks equipment. Feed a quality cichlid pellet as the base, with the occasional meaty treat.
Plan on a species-only tank with a single fish or an established pair. Do not count on tank mates surviving. It holds the middle of the water column and will charge anything that enters its space, including your hand.
It is a substrate spawner that lays its eggs on flat rock, and both parents guard the fry. Pairs breed readily once settled.
Good to know
Amphilophus labiatus belongs to the family Cichlidae. Many develop a large fatty hump on the forehead as they mature, more pronounced in dominant males. A healthy fish can live well over a decade with good care.
In the wild
Red devils come from Lakes Nicaragua, Managua and Xiloa in Nicaragua. These are open lake habitats with rock and sand, where they dig and claim territory.
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.
What does a red devil cichlid eat?
A red devil cichlid eats a quality cichlid pellet as the base of its diet, with the occasional meaty treat.
How big does a red devil cichlid get?
An adult red devil cichlid reaches about 13.8 in (35 cm).
How does a red devil cichlid breed?
The red devil cichlid is a substrate spawner that lays its eggs on flat rock. Both parents guard the fry, and pairs breed readily once settled.
Related species
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Amphilophus istlanus
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Amphilophus chancho
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