{"product_id":"red-devil-cichlid-amphilophus-labiatus","title":"Red Devil Cichlid | Amphilophus labiatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Red Devil lives up to its name — a big, brash, intensely territorial Central American cichlid that bonds with its keeper as readily as it bullies tankmates. This is a genuine giant, reaching around 35cm, with real personality and thick fleshy lips. It's a species-tank fish for the committed keeper, not a community cichlid, so plan for its size and temper before buying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmphilophus labiatus comes from the crater lakes and larger lakes of Nicaragua, including Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua, where it lives among rocks and open substrate in warm, hard, neutral-to-alkaline water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA massive, deep-bodied cichlid, most often bright orange-red in the aquarium strain, sometimes white, pink or mottled. Adults frequently develop a pronounced nuchal hump on the forehead and can grow thickened lips. Reaching around 35cm and occasionally larger, it is one of the more imposing cichlids in the hobby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExtremely aggressive and territorial. It will attack and often kill other fish, and even a bonded pair can turn on each other. Most keepers house it alone in a species tank. It is not a fish for a mixed community under any circumstances, and it recognises and interacts strongly with its keeper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA hearty omnivore leaning carnivorous. Feed a quality cichlid pellet as the staple with occasional frozen or fresh meaty foods, plus some vegetable matter. Avoid feeding mammalian meats such as beef heart, which are hard to digest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a very large, robustly set-up tank with heavy filtration and secure décor, as this powerful digger rearranges everything and shreds plants. Fix rockwork so it can't topple, and expect strong water changes to keep up with a big, messy fish. Hardy once established, but demanding purely because of its size and strength.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn open substrate spawner and dedicated biparental guardian. A compatible pair cleans a flat surface and fiercely defends the eggs and fry, but pairing is risky — partners can fight seriously, so provide space and cover and watch for aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmphilophus labiatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed Devil Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral America (Nicaragua)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 35cm (occasionally larger)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–12+ years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAggressive, highly territorial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e280 litres (single fish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (mainly carnivorous)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–25 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExperienced keepers wanting a large single-species cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo — digs up and destroys plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest kept entirely alone. Only very experienced keepers should attempt tankmates, and only other large, robust Central American cichlids in an extremely large tank, with the strong likelihood of aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEverything smaller, slower or more peaceful — it will injure or kill community fish, and even other large cichlids are at risk. Not suitable for planted or mixed aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232809566499,"sku":"AA1503","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232809599267,"sku":"AA1503-M","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232809632035,"sku":"AA1503-L","price":29.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm)","offer_id":55351966368035,"sku":"AA1503-XL","price":34.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/red-devil-cichlid-amphilophu-43887094366499.webp?v=1790306323","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/red-devil-cichlid-amphilophus-labiatus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}