Mr Red is really Miss Red

[NCSean]

I came home today to find my male Red Devil/Midas Mr. Red had laid eggs . I guess I was wrong thinking she was a he when I bought her three weeks ago DOH. My question is will she still grow now that she has started laying or will this stunt her growth? This is my first cichlid so I didn't realize they would lay when there wasnt a male in the tank. I learn something new every day lol.

 

[Davey_8313]

She'll keep growing even though she's laid eggs. How big is she now?

 

[Red Devil]

Thats one way to know the sex... and thats positive..

 

[NCSean]

She is about 3 1/2" to 4" and has grown quite a bit since I bought her from Pet Smart. She is still laying as I type. I noticed her shaking her head at her reflection in the glass about 2 weeks ago then she dug a pit cleaned off her fake log and today started laying eggs. I think she thinks her reflection is a male, she will lay a little then look at her reflection shake her head and dance in front of the glass then lay some more. Poor girl she going to be pissed when that male wont fertilize them for her . Its quite interesting to watch though.

 

[BigDaddyMagnum]

lol SUPRISEEEE!!!!! haha

 

[Alexxxxsv14]

my female gt did the same thing

 

[NCSean]

Yeah I know surprise is right. I had this vision of a huge 16" male Red Devil in a couple of years. I guess I will have to be satisfied with more like 10" unless I can find a male. Then I have to hope they don't kill each other. Got to love Red Devils there so social .

 

[sick_lid]

Go get the biggest dominant juvenile in the tank at a different location.. and hope it fertilizes those eggs..

 

[NCSean]

I have a video of Miss Red tending her eggs and culling one out and eating it posted in the Video Lounge for those interested. Hope you all enjoy it. I thought about getting a male and seeing if he would fertilize them but thought twice about it. My best guess is she would view him as a threat to her eggs and kill him within an hour of him hitting the water. She is very aggressive with other fish. Feeders last seconds with her sometimes she just kills them and doesn't eat them. What can I say shes a Devil .