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FAQs on Red Devil Cichlids: Behavior
Related Articles: Red Devils,
Texas Cichlids, Firemouths,
Oscars, Neotropical Cichlids,
African Cichlids, Dwarf South American
Cichlids, Cichlid Fishes in General, Cichlid
Systems,
Cichlid Identification,
Cichlid Behavior,
Cichlid Compatibility, Cichlid Selection,
Cichlid Feeding,
Cichlid Disease, Cichlid
Reproduction,
Related FAQs: Red Devils 1, Red
Devils 2, &
Red Devils Identification,
Red Devils Compatibility,
Red Devils Selection,
Red Devils Systems,
Red Devils Feeding,
Red Devils Health,
Red Devils Reproduction, &
Neotropical Cichlids 1, Cichlids of the
World,
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Red evil 4/22/09
hello, im very concerned about my red devil.
<Hello Shrhonda, thanks for writing. But please note, we usually
bounce back messages that don't have proper grammar and spelling.
It's the "currency" of the site; you give us well written messages,
and we can
create web pages from them. Web pages turn into advertising, and
that pays for the bandwidth. If you don't send us a clearly written
message, that system is undermined. If you actually are 8 years old
and don't know about grammar and spelling, or English isn't your
first language, then accept my apologies; otherwise, fix your
messages before you send them please! This is all stated up front
where you found our e-mail.>
its about 3-4 years old, he/she is very active, and i have had no
real problems with him except for the eating of other friends.
<If he's eaten his tankmates, that's surely a problem? In any case,
Red Devil cichlids shouldn't be eating fish. They are "earth-eater"
type cichlids, that naturally sift mud and debris to find food,
particularly worms, insect larvae and bits of plant matter. The
worst thing you can do for this type of fish is allow them to eat
fish, either accidentally or deliberately. When animals eat the food
they're not meant to, they get sick. Just look at the health of most
of the humans around you! We should be eating mostly plants and a
bit of meat, but instead we don't do that, and our health suffers
through obesity, constipation, heart disease and all the rest. So,
concentrate on the natural diet of your fish, and it will always be
much healthier.>
anyhow the last two days he/she has been really weird. we did a
partial water change on Monday, he/she has not ate but developed
black around his/her lips and the edges of the fins and some on the
body, but also is staying at the top of the tank on the right side.
the a few times today i have watched and all the sudden he will jump
up out of the water.
<Difficult to say what's the issue here without water chemistry
parameters, specifically nitrite and pH. Usually when fish go loopy
after a water change, it's because they've been exposed to some
sudden change in pH, temperature, or perhaps even poisons such as
detergents that might have been in the bucket. Toxins in the air,
such as paint fumes, can also cause problems. If you cleaned the
filter too aggressively, it's possible you've removed too many
bacteria, and the filter has begun "cycling" again, in which case
ammonia and nitrite levels will go up. Check these.
Discolouration around the mouth can indicate incipient infections,
particularly Finrot and Columnaris, in which case an appropriate
medication such as Maracyn will need to be used.>
his breathing seemed strange so i stuck a air brick in to get more
oxygen but i don't really think that was the problem. im worried
he/she is dying.
all my levels are in range and i adjusted my temp.
<What do you mean by "the range"? For a Red Devil, this should be 0
ammonia, 0 nitrite, 0-20 mg/l nitrate, pH 7.5-8, general hardness
10-25 degrees dH, carbonate hardness 5-15 degrees KH, temperature 25
C/77 F. If you're not at these levels, then something is wrong, and
you should fix them.>
he is moving all his/her fins. does not looked harmed. do u think he
is just upset with us.
<No; never make the mistake of assigning human feelings to animals.
Animals don't work the same way as us. Rather, animals prioritise
their basic needs and drives, and the foremost of these is survival.
If they are exposed to lethal conditions, they won't do their other
things such as feeding and engaging in reproductive behaviour such
as territoriality.>
he hasn't even done the normal as to rearrange, u no the plants
float at the top and all the gravel to one side. has not done that.
<Review conditions, diet as noted above. For a Red Devil to *not*
want to dig and act belligerently is rather unusual!>
Help HELP
<Cheers, Neale.>
fish breeding, Red Devil beh....
English 7/15/08
my red devil has dug a big pit,and he ckeeps chasing my female
flowerhorn around,until she hides at the top,could you tell me why he is
doing this,thanks tony?
<Amphilophus spp are highly territorial nest builders, and unless you have a
huge aquarium they assume the entire aquarium is their own domain. So in
short, he/she is being territorial (Amphilophus spp. are difficult to sex)
and doesn't want the Flowerhorn in its tank. Simple as that. Cheers, Neale.>
Dark Lips on a Red Devil Cichlid
Just received a wild caught 9" red devil (Amphilophus labiatus). He seems to
have settled in reasonably well, but I noticed today his lips look sooty in
color, like he was foraging in black dirt. Just the front of his lips are
colored. I don't think it is a pigment change. He appears to be about three
years old, and would have probably achieved his final coloration by now.
Any ideas?
<May be "bruised". Have seen these mouth color changes in "just moved"
neotropical cichlids before. Generally will recolorize in time. If the fish is
eating (which is almost a given with this species) I wouldn't be concerned. Bob
Fenner>
Red Devil Query
I have a red devil in a 55 gallon tank, and he is about 25 cm long... I just
noticed recently he likes going to the top of the tank and it seems like he's
grabbing air, although I know that's no true cause that's just the way fish
work, breath thru the water.. I was wondering why would it seem that he is
always going up there and doing that?? is he healthy? he also doesn't eat
anything some times. he's really picky... I was thinking of giving him to the
pet store because I don't know if I can handle him not eating and such.
>>>Hello Mike,
First thing, please use proper grammar and spelling when you post a query here.
Taking time to correct these things just means I have less energy to devote to
your question. All of these questions are posted on the site FAQ, so bad
spelling and grammar must be corrected.
Now...
These fish are large, messy eaters and will place a tremendous strain on the
filtration system. Nitrogen cycle management is paramount with large cichlids
such as these. Failure to do so can cause a myriad of health issues. I need more
info. What is your setup? How is the water circulation? How often do you perform
water changes? Lack of oxygen in the water can cause the behavior you describe.
The fish is literally gasping for air.
Regards
Jim<<<
Dangerous Devil Behavior?
Hi- I have a 6" Red Devil who until recently has acted quite calmly. I've
had him for a year and have always been careful to feed him a balanced diet.
Recently, he has begun to act strangely. Darting, chasing his tail, and biting
at his reflection in the glass, sometimes ramming it full speed. Everybody said
to treat him for parasites, which I have done twice. Also I have done a 100%
water change twice. This has been going on for about 2 weeks. He does not rub
his body on anything and eats normally. It seems like he's just gone crazy! Any
help you could lend would be appreciated-- Mike
<What you describe so well is not atypical developmental behavior for the few
species of neotropical cichlids called Red Devils... they can become incredibly
"aggressive", so much so that other livestock cannot be kept with them... Not a
disease here, no need to treat, but do take care if you intend to move, mix this
specimen with other fishes... it should be the last fish added... and kept
separated by a transparent partition for a few weeks... Bob Fenner>
Red devil playing dead?
Hello, I have a Red Devil that is about 6-8 inches long, it lives in a
135gallon tank with a Dempsey, blue African and a pike. They all get along just
fine since they grew up together from young fry. My question is why does my fish
seem to play dead, I keep thinking that when I wake up in the morning he will be
dead (or she). Next morning he/she is just swimming happily around, but it will
just lay on the floor on its side or even upside down and it will swim upside
down to get behind his rock in the corner. Is this something that you have heard
of before or could he be sick?
<Not likely sick... but a cichlid! That is, these are intelligent, playful
fish...>
All the other fish in the take act normal. I gave you the info on the size and
other fish because maybe they are not meant to be together. I hope you can
answer my question, I just need to know if I should go get new filters or
anything else that may help him if he is sick. Thanks - Ammy
<Likely you already change out water, vacuum the gravel often... and offer a
variety of foods... Your fish are doing fine, and they are a compatible, though
rough and tumble grouping. Bob Fenner>
How Old Can Red Devil Cichlids Get?
Hello,
I have had a Male Red Devil Cichlid for almost 17 years. If I'd have known he
would live this long I would've saved for his college tuition! I got him when he
was about the size of a dime, and now he's almost a foot long and still growing.
He's in a 40 gallon tank by himself, though he makes friends with just about
anyone (human, dog, cat etc.) who takes the time to meet him. Loads of
personality! His name is Fred. My question is how old can Red Devil Cichlids
live to be? The only sign I can see that he might be slowing down is this: We've
always had a game where I try to drop his food pellets directly into his waiting
mouth (if I wait too long, he'll leap out of the water like Shamu and grab it
for himself!). Whenever I miss and the pellet lands in the water, he'll scramble
after it. He always used to get it on the first lunge, but over the last year or
so it seems to take him more tries before he gets the pellet. It seems that
maybe his eyesight is going. I've heard that Cichlids are known for their keen
eyesight, so that might account for his missing the pellets on the first few
tries. Besides that, Fred has never had any health problems and is a truly
beautiful fish in perfect shape. Nobody has been able to tell me how old Red
Devil Cichlids can get. What is the oldest you've heard of?
< The problem with longevity records with tropical fish is that nobody wants to
keep their fish that long. Many cichlid keepers breed their fish and then move
on to the next one. Your track record with your red devil is truly remarkable
and you are to be highly commended for keeping you pet alive and well for so
long. As a general rule of thumb I personally use a " year per inch" standard.
But many fish such as your have far exceeded that. I don't know of anyone who
has kept track of their red devil for any length of time. I am sure your fish is
getting up there.-Chuck>
Thank you!
Chris Haller
INSECURE RED DEVIL
Hi Bob I have recently been given a red devil and I think he is terrific -
recently however he seems to be staying for most of the day in his rock cave
that he put together himself ! he used to come out and play and landscape a lot.
I can't see anything wrong with him but he takes off and hides when ever I
approach so I'm finding it hard to check him out. I feed him appropriate food
regularly. I am wondering if he is a bit lethargic or sick for some reason or
just being an eccentric red devil. Do you have any advice?
Thanks in advance - John, Melbourne Australia
< He may feel more comfortable in his little retreat. If he is eating and looks
normal then it is probably a case where he feels more secure in the cave and
does not feel a need to come out. I would dismantle his cave and force him to
face the light because eventually he will probably become imprinted to his cave
and stay in there permanently. This makes for a poor aquarium fish. Get him out
and keep him active. Move things around in the tank as well as add a few rocks
or take some out.-Chuck>
Red Devil Acting Strange
I have a 6" red devil who, aside from killing any other fish I tried to put
with him, has acted quite calm for the year I've had him. Recently he has
been darting unexpectedly, chasing his tail, and biting at his reflection in
the glass. He eats normally ( a balanced diet). He does not rub his body on
anything, has no signs of parasites ( I treated him twice for them anyway,
just to be sure) and I have done a 100% change of water twice. He is acting
as if he has just gone crazy. Is there a certain time of year when they
exhibit strange behavior (like a mammal) or could there be another
explanation? Thanks for your help! - Mike
< Cichlids from Central America are intelligent creatures and often interact
with their exterior surroundings. What you are describing is normal for a
fish that has been kept alone for awhile. This turns out is part of their
charm and why so many people really like their cichlids for many years. To
slow him down you can turn down the water temp to the mid 70's. If you
really want to see him go ballistic set a mirror next to him. Don't leave it
there too long or he might hurt himself. This is not a disease, just a
result of being raised alone.-Chuck>
Devil Getting His Horns
My cichlid (red devil) has a large bump over his left eye, it is about
the size of a nickel, and is bulging out. It also is turning colors as if it
might be bruised, what is this and how can I treat it?
Thanks, Gail
<This could be natural growth. An adult male Red Devil will grow such a hump
as a sign of maturity. If this is a bruise then just keep his water clean and it
will heal. Don>
Red Devil Changing Color 9/16/05
Hi WWMC!
<Hello there.>
I have a 55 gallon tank, as you may have heard before, and one of its occupants
is a 3" red devil named Skeeters. Originally s/he was a pale orange, but now
s/he is changing around her/his lips and tail which are turning black.
Do you know what this might be? Is my red devil ok or is this something to be
worried about?
<Completely normal for Red Devils to gain and/or lose patches of black, and
sometimes white. Nothing to be concerned about.--Glenn>
Red Devils natural diet? And fat lips? Chuck's Take - 02/11/2007
I have a 7” Red Devil cichlid, his name is Marmalade. He currently is the
only fish in his 55 gallon aquarium.
<And likely to be the only fish tolerated...>
The tank is filtered by two
<Good>
AquaClear 500s, with weekly 25 to 50 percent water changes.
<Also>
Water parameters: pH-8.2, ammonia-0, nitrite-0, nitrate-always under 10ppm, and
temperature 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Marmalade’s tank will be upgrading to a 150
gallon in May. He deserves more tank space to destroy.
<Heeeee!>
I am wondering if anyone can tell me what would make up the majority of their
natural diet.
<Mmm, you can take a look on fishbase.org:
http://fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=4786
here for the most commonly named Red Devil Cichlid (there are a few other
species so-named). See the notes under "Biology"...>
I can find gut analyses for many Amphilophus cichlids citrinellus, xiloaensis,
Amarillo, … but not labiatus.
<http://fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=28238&genusname=Amphilophus&speciesname=labiatus>
I want to raise live foods for treats. I currently raise cherry red shrimp
(Neocaridina denticulata sinensis), snails, and swordtails (Xiphophorus Sp). In
the summer I also raise red worm.
<All accepted greedily>
I also need to know if anyone has suggestions on fattening up Marmalade's lips.
The only info I can find about their fat lips says it is callus buildup from
their feeding practices in the wild. I want to replicate Marmalade’s natural
environment as well as possible. My plan is decorating the 150 with 100+ pounds
of honeycomb limestone. My hope is that he will excavate the rock for his live
treats and fatten up his lips. Any other suggestions?
<Mmm, really just time going by... May "fatten up" or no...>
I guess I need to mention that I don’t know Marmalade is 100% red devil. I
purchased him from a pet store, not an importer. I think he shows mostly
labiatus characteristics. His nuchal hump is relatively small. When viewed from
overhead his jaws come to a point, not rounded like Amphilophus citrinellus.
<Am going to place this note in our resident Cichlid expert's in box as well...
Chuck Rambo will likely have much more input here. Bob Fenner>
<(Chuck's Take). In the wild these guys feed on all kinds of invertebrates like
snails, crustaceans, insects as well as small fishes. These prey items are found
in between the cracks of the rocks in their natural environment. The large lips
on these cichlids are used like a gasket over the openings so they can suck out
the prey out between the cracks. When these fish are brought into the aquarium
they stop doing this technique and the lips soon go back to a normal
size. There are many Lake Malawi cichlids that have the same large lips in the
wild. So far there has been no documentation of any captive cichlids developing
these massive lip structures.-Chuck>
Red Devil Going Crazy......... 9/5/07
Hello, I have a Female Red Devil that is about three years
old and is about 8" inches long. I recently moved her
from a 55 gallon tank with one other fish into a 100
gallon tank with about ten smaller less aggressive fish.
She seems to be doing fine with the other fish, they
stay out of her way and occasionally she will dart at
one but nothing to serious.
<Red devils are hardly community fish, so on the scale
of things, you're doing well.>
However, lately she has been acting really strange. She
has been doing this really weird shaking with her body
around her "cave" , sometimes she will dig her nose into
the ground and shake I cant tell if she is trying to rub
her body on anything, it doesn't seem like she is cause
sometimes she does it when nothing is around her.
<Probably trying to dig.>
She also has been extremely active very excited when I
come up to the tank and she will try and bite at herself
which she used to do prior but this is a little more
extreme than usual.
<She's trying to attack you. She views you as a threat.>
I thought that maybe she was going to lay eggs or
something, but I don't think that is possible without a
male is it?
<Not usually, though sometimes it happens.>
Now the tank I got had previously had other fish in it,
is it possible that it may have had some diseases in it
or parasites and so now she has it?
<Unlikely.>
I am pretty new to all of this so I really don't know
what to think. Can you help me figure out what is wrong?
<Do all the usual things: check pH (should be ~7.5),
hardness (should be reasonably high), nitrite (should be
zero). Review diet (these are omnivorous cichlids and
need a mix of meaty and green foods). But otherwise,
assuming there aren't obvious signs of infection or skin
damage, I'd tend to leave things be for now.>
Thanks, Melissa & Fido (my fish)
<Cheers, Neale>
Re: Red Devil Going Crazy......... –
09/05/07
Thank you for your reply! However, I wanted to add that I noticed that her
color as well has gotten very bright (brighter than usual), and she also has
something sticking out of her belly on the bottom. Also when I was fixing the
plants she was trying to attack my hand and she has never ever done this in the
past. I know there has to be something going on with her, could it possibly be
that she may be a he? She doesn't have a bump on her head like I have read with
most male Red Devils so I just assumed that she was female.
<Hmm... well, red devils destroy plants, so that checks. Not sure what the
"something" from her belly is, but let's assume it's the genital pore, in which
case you likely have a mature male if its long and pointed, a female if its
round and stubby. Only old males develop a really big nuchal hump, and some
males never develop one. There's also the problem of which species we're talking
about here: Amphilophus citrinellus or Amphilophus labiatus; both get called red
devils (as ever, Latin names are best!). Colours can vary with age and mood, so
not real informative. If you're really concerned, send along a picture. But if
she's eating and merely engaging in random acts of violence and destruction,
well, that's par for the genus. Cheers, Neale>
Re: Red Devil
Going Crazy......... 9/7/07
Here is a pic. The thing sticking out from her/his
belly is actually very tiny. And she hasn't been eating
at all since I have put her into the new tank.
<Hmm... can't really see anything on that photo. Can you
do a close-up of her vent? Sexing this species is
extremely difficult, and a good look at the vent will
help, too. Cheers, Neale.> |
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2 pictures
for you
Firemouth Not a Firemouth, Red devil beh. 4/16/08
I have a Firemouth cichlid that I have had for a couple of years
now. A few months ago, he started losing his scale color-it almost
looked like he was molting. Now, he is completely orange. He has been
completely orange now for about three months. He eats well, I give him
cichlid pellets, blood worms, etc. he started having the problem when I
gave him a bunch of feeder minnows. Water pH is around 7.8, temp is 80
degrees, ammonia level is zero.
I regularly do water changes once a month, and he is alone in a 25
gallon tank. He is very large, probably 9 inches long. My question is -
what is the matter with him? How can I get his stripes/coloring back?
Why does he now look like a giant goldfish with teeth? There are no
visible parasites on
him. His fins are in perfect shape. Any ideas? I am attaching a couple
of pictures showing him when it first started happening, and what he
looks like
now. Can you help? Thanks----------Wayne
<Your Firemouth is really a red devil. Once they change from their grey
color to orange they don't go back.-Chuck> |
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