Odd looking red devil

[Achilles1763]

Okay I bought this fish as a Red Devil, I know there is extensive hybridisation between them and Midas but his colours are changing and I was wonder if anyone what he is and is going to look like. The pictures are in sets of two with the oldest at the top and you can see his colour change. He is not bullied or beaten up and is one of the larger dominate fish in my grow out tank.

 

[Achilles1763]

Right it up loaded the pictures backward... oldest are at the bottom (a Month ago) and the top two are from yesterday.

 

[lunsforj]

That's typical of the species. The transformation is commonly referred to as "peeling".

 

[cichlidfish]

Looks normal to me.

 

[Achilles1763]

Ahh good, so you think he will end up with the normal bright red colouration? And peeling is about right!

 

[Trimapit]

I had a batch that the parents were a True F2 RD female and the male was a a Midevil. Their peeling was hysterical. Some changed very quick. And others were almost at a year old when they peeled or just starting. Just never know. The female of the clutch would change herself. One day she would be barred, next day solid orange, day after that she was black and orange.

 

[Achilles1763]

She peeling has definitely accelerated, this is her today! She is a very personable fish and as a result hard to take a picture of as when ever she sees me she turns to face me and swims to the glass! I have only had her about 3 months but she is eating and growing well... I am guessing the peeling is prelude to her adult personality setting in... as in being hyper aggressive?

 

[T.Lee]

Okay I bought this fish as a Red Devil, I know there is extensive hybridisation between them and Midas but his colours are changing and I was wonder if anyone what he is and is going to look like. The pictures are in sets of two with the oldest at the top and you can see his colour change. He is not bullied or beaten up and is one of the larger dominate fish in my grow out tank.

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They will change to a solid color red or orange as they grow larger, be careful they are agressive.

 

[Achilles1763]

Thanks dude, yeah I have heard the horror stories of how bad devils can be and it's just going to be a case of see what happens. He is going into a 220g 7ft tank which is going to be a mixture a large aggressive cichlids and birchirs... and a large fahaka. So hopefully the aggression will be spread about and defused.

 

[T.Lee]

I love that fish, they have personally and they get big and thick nice fish. I just lost mine do some bacteria, I didn't know what it was white cloudy film on there bodies ,no other fish had it in the tank,I had to take them out. I just brought a baby to start over again . I had one 16 inches it filled the tank.. I want to get to that point again.. Good luck with yours.