Red Devil Cichlid (Amphilophus labiatus) Care Guide
Amphilophus labiatus is a large, aggressive cichlid endemic to Lakes Nicaragua and Managua, known for its powerful jaws and, in the wild, enlarged lips.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Amphilophus labiatus, the Red Devil cichlid, was described by Günther in 1864. It is a robustly built Central American cichlid with powerful jaws and sharp teeth, and is widely regarded by aquarists as one of the more aggressive cichlids. Some wild fish develop enlarged lips, a trait linked to feeding habits that tends to disappear in captivity.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Amphilophus
- Scientific name: Amphilophus labiatus
- Describer: Günther, 1864
Habitat
The species is endemic to Lake Nicaragua and Lake Managua on the Atlantic slope of Nicaragua. FishBase classifies it as a benthopelagic freshwater fish of lakes and occasionally rivers. It has become established as an introduced species in some lakes in Indonesia.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 500 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 7.0-8.0
- GH: 8-18 °dGH
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
Diet
It is an omnivore with a carnivorous lean (FishBase trophic level about 3.5). Reported foods include small fish, snails, insect larvae, worms and other benthic organisms. In the aquarium it accepts quality prepared foods alongside meaty items.
Compatibility
Red Devils are territorial and highly aggressive, particularly when breeding, and may damage equipment or rearrange decor. They are best kept singly or as a bonded pair in a large, sparsely decorated tank; small fish are unsuitable tank mates.
Breeding
The species forms monogamous pairs and spawns on flat rocks or logs, with advanced biparental care. FishBase reports clutches of roughly 600-700 eggs, with the female actively guarding the eggs and fry.
Red Devil Cichlid Breeding Guide
Overview
The Red Devil cichlid, Amphilophus labiatus, is a large Central American cichlid endemic to Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua, reaching about 25-35 cm. It forms monogamous pairs that spawn on flattened rocks or logs and provides advanced biparental brood care, but it is notoriously aggressive.
Sexing
Adult males develop a large bump (nuchal hump) on the head, which is much less pronounced in females. This difference becomes clear as the fish mature.
Conditioning
Condition a pair on a varied diet in a spacious, robustly decorated tank. Reported aquarium parameters are a temperature of 24-26 C, pH 7.0-7.5 and general hardness of 8-12 dGH.
Breeding Setup
Provide flat rocks or logs as spawning surfaces and a sandy bottom, since these fish are strong diggers. Because the species cannot be kept with other fish, breeding is best done in a dedicated species tank with ample space to absorb aggression.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The monogamous pair spawns on a flattened rock or log; the female lays 600-700 eggs that are then fertilized in a brood pit. Parents may relocate the eggs to another breeding pit several times.
Egg & Fry Care
The eggs hatch after 3-5 days. Both parents care for the brood, guarding and protecting the offspring. The fry can be reared on Artemia (brine shrimp) nauplii.
Common Challenges
The defining challenge is extreme aggression: red devils are described as very aggressive, will ram the glass at perceived intruders, can damage equipment and may even bite their keepers, especially when guarding a brood. Strong, fixed decor and a large tank are essential.