Care guide, husbandry, breeding, disease, sourcing, and tankmate intelligence on Red Devil Cichlid - written by the Fast Aquatics editorial team and cross-verified against vendor records on the live marketplace.
Red Devil Cichlid (Amphilophus labiatus) is a freshwater fish kept by aquarists for community + species-specific freshwater displays. Suitable for keepers with 6-12 months of experience and stable water chemistry.
Where Red Devil Cichlid comes from
Red Devil Cichlid (Amphilophus labiatus) is native to specific tropical and subtropical freshwater systems. The captive-bred Red Devil Cichlid sold at most LFS comes from generations of farmed stock and is generally hardier and better-acclimated to tank conditions than wild-caught equivalents. Wild specimens are occasionally available for keepers chasing original-bloodline coloration or biotope-accurate stocking.
Red Devil Cichlid tank size and setup
Red Devil Cichlid requires a minimum of 75 gallons for healthy adults. The minimum is based on the species' adult size (12 inches), territorial range, and behavior pattern. Most Red Devil Cichlid sold at small juvenile size will reach full adult size within 12-24 months and the system must be sized to the adult, not the juvenile.
For a Red Devil Cichlid setup: tank sized for the adult footprint, HOB or canister filter rated 4-6x tank volume, dechlorinated water, appropriate temperature heater, and stocking-appropriate hardscape and plants.
Red Devil Cichlid prefers freshwater parameters: Temperature: 74-80°F pH: 6.5-7.5 GH: 4-12 dGH KH: 3-8 dKH Ammonia + nitrite: Both 0 ppm Nitrate: Under 20 ppm long-term Copper: 0 (especially critical for invertebrates)
Use dechlorinator on every water change. Test parameters weekly during cycling, biweekly once stable. Stable consistency beats sliding-scale "ideal" parameters.
What Red Devil Cichlid eats
Red Devil Cichlid is a carnivore. Eats meaty foods - frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and quality carnivore pellets. Live food (PE Mysis, live brine, live blackworms) triggers feeding response in stressed or new arrivals. Feed 2-3 times weekly for adults; daily for growing juveniles. Feed Red Devil Cichlid appropriately for its size + activity level. Overfeeding is the #1 cause of water-quality crashes in tanks of all sizes.
Red Devil Cichlid tankmates and compatibility
Red Devil Cichlid works in community tanks with peaceful species in similar size class. Adult-size matters more than purchase-size when planning stocking. Avoid mixing aggressive with passive species.
Browse care guides for tankmate-compatibility tables for Red Devil Cichlid and similar species.
Red Devil Cichlid adult size and lifespan
Red Devil Cichlid reaches 12 inches at adulthood with a captive lifespan of 10-12 years with proper care. Most freshwater species live 3-10 years; larger species (oscars, plecos, knifefish) reach 10-20+ years.
Can you breed Red Devil Cichlid?
Red Devil Cichlid can be bred in dedicated breeding tanks with appropriate setup and water-chemistry triggers. Most cichlids are substrate or cave spawners; provide flat surface or cave, condition the pair with high-protein food, and trigger spawning with a 25% cool water change.
Common Red Devil Cichlid diseases and problems
Red Devil Cichlid is susceptible to standard freshwater diseases (ich, columnaris, fin rot, bacterial infections). Quarantine new Red Devil Cichlid for 4 weeks before adding to your display tank. Treat fish in a separate hospital tank to avoid affecting plants and inverts. Most disease outbreaks trace back to poor water quality, chronic stress, or skipped quarantine.
Where to buy Red Devil Cichlid online
Red Devil Cichlid is sold at LFS (local fish stores), online retailers, and direct from breeders/wholesalers. Pricing varies widely by source, size, and quality:
Browse live Red Devil Cichlid from vetted Fast Aquatics vendors with carrier-tracked overnight shipping (FedEx Priority + UPS Next Day), climate-aware hold logic, and a 2-hour DOA window with photo-evidence claims. Captive-bred or aquacultured specimens cost more upfront but arrive healthier and integrate faster.
Red Devil Cichlid FAQ
What size tank does the Red Devil Cichlid need?
Red Devil Cichlid requires a minimum of 75 gallons for healthy adults. The minimum is based on the species' adult size (12 inches), territorial range, and behavior pattern. Most Red Devil Cichlid sold at small juvenile size will reach full adult size within 12-24 months and the system must be sized to the adult, not the juvenile.
Is the Red Devil Cichlid hard to keep?
The Red Devil Cichlid is rated intermediate difficulty on this care sheet. It needs a tank of at least 75 gallons, a temperature of 74-80°F and pH 6.5-7.5. Adults reach about 12 inches and live 10-12 years. Red Devil Cichlid (Amphilophus labiatus) is a intermediate-care freshwater species that thrives in tanks of 75 gallons or larger with stable parameters.
What water parameters does the Red Devil Cichlid need?
Red Devil Cichlid prefers freshwater parameters: Temperature: 74-80°F pH: 6.5-7.5 GH: 4-12 dGH KH: 3-8 dKH Ammonia + nitrite: Both 0 ppm Nitrate: Under 20 ppm long-term Copper: 0 (especially critical for invertebrates) Use dechlorinator on every water change. Test parameters weekly during cycling, biweekly once stable. Stable consistency beats sliding-scale "ideal" parameters.
What does the Red Devil Cichlid eat?
Red Devil Cichlid is a carnivore. Eats meaty foods - frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and quality carnivore pellets. Live food (PE Mysis, live brine, live blackworms) triggers feeding response in stressed or new arrivals. Feed 2-3 times weekly for adults; daily for growing juveniles. Feed Red Devil Cichlid appropriately for its size + activity level.
What are good tankmates for the Red Devil Cichlid?
Red Devil Cichlid works in community tanks with peaceful species in similar size class. Adult-size matters more than purchase-size when planning stocking. Avoid mixing aggressive with passive species. Browse care guides for tankmate-compatibility tables for Red Devil Cichlid and similar species.
How big does the Red Devil Cichlid get and how long does it live?
Red Devil Cichlid reaches 12 inches at adulthood with a captive lifespan of 10-12 years with proper care. Most freshwater species live 3-10 years; larger species (oscars, plecos, knifefish) reach 10-20+ years. The minimum is based on the species' adult size (12 inches), territorial range, and behavior pattern.
What are common problems with the Red Devil Cichlid?
Red Devil Cichlid is susceptible to standard freshwater diseases (ich, columnaris, fin rot, bacterial infections). Quarantine new Red Devil Cichlid for 4 weeks before adding to your display tank. Treat fish in a separate hospital tank to avoid affecting plants and inverts. Most disease outbreaks trace back to poor water quality, chronic stress, or skipped quarantine.
Where does the Red Devil Cichlid come from in the wild?
Red Devil Cichlid (Amphilophus labiatus) is native to specific tropical and subtropical freshwater systems. The captive-bred Red Devil Cichlid sold at most LFS comes from generations of farmed stock and is generally hardier and better-acclimated to tank conditions than wild-caught equivalents. Wild specimens are occasionally available for keepers chasing original-bloodline coloration or biotope-accurate stocking.
Related freshwater species you might also keep
Other species in the same category with care profiles on Fast Aquatics. Click any name for the full husbandry breakdown.
Red Devil Cichlid taxonomy and care recommendations cross-checked against the following authoritative references and our internal vendor + breeder database.