Red Devil Cichlid

Looks how to spot one

Large, deep-bodied cichlid

A big, powerful cichlid with a tall body and thick lips. Adult males grow larger than females, carry longer pointed dorsal and anal fins and often develop a prominent hump on the forehead. Some wild fish have extra-large lips, a feature that usually shrinks in aquarium life.13

Personality what they are like

A confident, strong-willed fish with plenty of personality. It is very territorial, especially when breeding, so it is usually kept alone or as a pair rather than in a community tank.13

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Active and inquisitive; likes to rearrange its surroundings by digging and moving decor, so furnishings should be heavy and secure.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Needs a very large tank with strong filtration and regular water changes. Heaters and equipment should be protected, and rockwork placed directly on the tank base so it cannot be undermined.13

Home where they are happiest

Minimum base of about 150 x 45 cm for one adult; pairs or mixed setups need well over 1000 litres. Aquarium temperature 21-26 °C, pH 6.0-8.0, hardness 5-25 dGH. FishBase lists a warmer natural range of 28-33 °C for wild habitat.12

Food basics what goes in the bowl

An easy-going omnivore. A quality cichlid pellet as the staple, plus earthworms, prawns, mussels and vegetables such as peas or spinach. In the wild it eats small fish, snails, insect larvae, worms and bottom-dwelling creatures.12

Company who they like around

Best kept singly or as a bonded pair. Pairs form naturally from a group of young fish; tankmates, if any, should be large and robust and only in very big aquaria.1

The story where it all began

Albert Günther described the red devil in 1864 from the great lakes of Nicaragua. It became a popular aquarium fish, and selective breeding in captivity produced the bright orange and red forms that gave it its trade name, a name it often shares with the related Midas cichlid. It is also one of the parent fish used to create the flowerhorn hybrid.314

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Not Evaluated2

Taxonomy

Described by Günther in 1864; formerly placed in Heros and Cichlasoma; family Cichlidae3