Red Devil Cichlid

Red Devil Cichlid

The Red Devil Cichlid Amphilophus labiatus (previously Cichlasoma labiatum) makes a personable and exciting display for the large show tank. It is a very large Central American cichlid, reaching up to 15″ (38 cm) and is known for being one of the most ferocious and aggressive of the cichlids.

This cichlid has a great deal of variability in its body structure and coloration. The coloring in the wild is often a dark brown to gray which helps them blend into their natural surroundings and the substrate. Yet some are bright red, while others are white or yellow. Some of the more colorful individuals will also have a black-tipped tail and black-tipped fins. Their lips are thick and rubbery looking and can be either black or orange.

No matter what the color, this is an extremely charismatic fish that hobbyists tend to go nuts over. It is a very “owner conscious” cichlid. They will quickly form quite the attachment to their owner and will ‘play’ with you just like a dog might. They have been known to follow their owners around the room, beg for food, show off their colors and speed, and do other fun, playful things. It will also respond to interactions like feeding and cleaning the aquarium.

This fish is named the Red Devil for a very good reason. It is known for very aggressive behavior and it has the dentition (teeth) to back it up. Their big teeth and strong jaws show this is a veracious predator that needs to be respected. Although they can be kept in aquariums as small as 55 gallons, bigger aquariums can reduce their aggressiveness. They have been known to live with other fish when growing up, but as an adult these fish will usually not tolerate any other fish living in its aquarium, especially if this other fish is another Red Devil. If you are interested in keeping this fish with tankmates, you will need to either keep it as a mated pair or in a very large aquarium.

These fish are moderately easy to care for for as long as water conditions are kept up with regular water changes. They appreciate 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, shredded or uprooted. Make sure rocks are well bedded on the actual glass bottom of the tank to prevent toppling. Be sure to leave an open area in the center for swimming. Good water quality and a very large tank are both needed for their optimum health.