Red Devil
Amphilophus labiatus
Cichlidae
About
The red devil is a large, powerfully built cichlid from Lakes Nicaragua and Managua on the Atlantic slope of Central America, where it grows to well over 30 cm. Intelligent enough to recognise its keeper and famous for a fleshy lip and a fiery temper, it is one of the most relentlessly aggressive and territorial cichlids in the hobby. It digs constantly, rearranges every rock and uproots any plant, and an adult will kill or maim tankmates it cannot swallow, so it is best kept alone or as a single bonded pair in a species setup.
Care
Give a single fish or a bonded pair a very large tank of at least 450 L with a base around 150 cm long, a sand bottom and heavy, immovable rockwork, backed by powerful filtration and generous water changes. Expect constant digging and intense aggression, especially when breeding, and do not mix with smaller or timid fish.
Diet
Carnivore-leaning omnivore that eats snails, worms, insect larvae and small fish. Staple on a quality cichlid pellet and supplement with frozen or live earthworm, prawn, mussel and bloodworm plus occasional greens; keep portions measured to avoid fouling the water.
Tankmate compatibility
Possible with care (84)
Avoid (187)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.
Telling males from females
What works for this species, most reliable first.
- Extended finsStrong · from about 8 months, and later in a suppressed male
On many cichlids and killifish the male's dorsal and anal fins draw out into trailing points as he matures, while the female's stay rounded.
- VentingA hint only · only on a mature fish, easiest when she is in breeding condition
The method breeders use when the answer has to be right. Hold the fish upside down in a wet hand or soft net and look at the two openings ahead of the anal fin. The forward one is the anus; the one behind it is what you are reading.
- Adult sizeA hint only · only across animals of the same age
In many cichlids, catfish and loaches one sex simply grows larger — usually the male, though there are well-known reversals.
Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Red Devil need?
- A Red Devil needs an aquarium of at least 450 litres (118.9 US gallons) with a footprint at least 150 cm (59.1 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a Red Devil need?
- Red Devil does best at 22–28 °C (71.6–82.4 °F), pH 6.5–8 and a general hardness of 6–25 °dGH.
- Is the Red Devil suitable for beginners?
- Red Devil sits in the middle of the difficulty scale — manageable for a careful beginner who has done the reading, but it has specific needs worth researching first.