The cichlid family has long been one of the most popular groups of aquarium fish on the market for freshwater fish tank owners, and many of them seem to look exactly the same and have the exact same characteristics.
But take one look at the red devil cichlid and you’ll probably know right away that it’s not your typical cichlid. Fish tank owners looking for something unique and colorful should definitely give the red devil cichlid a second look.
The first thing you’ll likely notice about the red devil cichlid is its head. Some might call it ugly, others might call it interesting and unique. It basically looks as if the red devil has a giant brain protruding from the top of its head. That’s the simplest way to describe it. The males in particular have
The average size of an adult male red devil cichlid is about 14 inches but they are capable of getting considerably bigger if you put them in a large fish tank with ample food. The red devil likes to feed from the bottom of the tank and usually does most of its swimming near the middle part. While the main color of the red devil usually matches its namesake and stays around the red-to-pink range, other color variations are quite common including a pale yellow color to a brilliant orange color, and patches of black spots or stripes are also possibilities.
While red devils can be kept in smaller tanks based on their average size, many fish tank owners and other analysts feel that a large tank of about 75-90 gallons is the best option for keeping them happy and healthy. They need plenty of open water for swimming space so if you think that your tank might not be big enough to house or two red devils comfortably, it’s probably best to buy a smaller fish. The red devil also needs regular water changes and a little-better-than-usual filteration. The minimum tank size is probably 55 gallons for a single fish.
So, does the red devil live up to its name when it comes to its behavior? Most owners would answer that question with a resounding yes. These fish have a little bit of a piranha-type attitude to them and will attack just about anything in their paths. They are high-energy and aggressive and bite quite hard. They’ll even bite a person’s hand to get to their fish food when you go to feed them.
But some people like to watch them get aggressive and cause havoc, so if that sounds like a trait you’d like in your fish, give them a shot. They’re also brightly colored and beautiful, if you can get past the hump which is ugly to some people, so buy a red devil or two if you’re looking for a little excitement in your freshwater fish tank.
Source: Red Devil, World Cichlids Online, http://www.worldcichlids.com/fishprofiles/reddevil.html
