Red Devil and Midas, are they the same fish?

[Dominuslive]

Ok real fish fans, here is a question.


Red Devils, and Midas Cichlids, are they the same fish? I have read somewhere they are, and am trying to find that from whereever I read it. PLZ let's hear everyones thoughts.

 

[long2534]

no they are seperate tho they are commonly hybridized together and it makes it really hard to get a true midas or true red devil and not a mix

 

[Dominuslive]

Here is a site that explains it a little more, the midas is not the only one called red devil, but as far as species wise yes they are different. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/reddevils.htm

 

[Jason_S]

in my mind, the "red devil complex" comprises of the following species:

Amphilophus citrinellus (midas)
Amphilophus labiatus (red devil, not the same thing as midas)
Amphilophus zaliosus (arrow cichlid)
Amphilophus amarillo
Amphilophus hogaboomorus
Amphilophus saggittae
Amphilophus xiloaensis (believed by some to be synonym of A. saggittae I believe)

some people only consider the first 3 listed above to be the "red devil complex" but imo the others are similar enough to also be considered.

 

[Dominuslive]

Now being that common names can vary from place to place, why is it that all of those species are considered "Red Devils"? Shoundn't only the true Red Devil be given that particular name.


I understand the complex, just meaning for this to be a discussion for those who may not understand why so many fish are known as the Red Devil.

 

[Jason_S]

the phrase "red devil complex" has been around for a long time, and has always been used to describe the "red devil like" cichlids. the cichlids that are very closely related to the actual red devil (A. labiatus) were considered as part of the complex. like I said in my other post, originally it was only the 3 species (A. labiatus, A. citrinellus and A. zaliosus) that were considered part of this group, but as new species were discovered (the others I listed) that were so closely related, they too were added to the group/complex.

any knowledgeable breeder will sell them by what they are both with common and scientific names. it's the unknowing or uncaring breeders/farmers that pass off any "red devil looking" cichlid as a "red devil". that's why most of the "red devils" on the market are hybrids of A. citrinellus and A. labiatus.

 

[TenaciousTankBuster]

They are classified as two distint species. But because of the hybridization between the Midas Ciclid and A. Labiatus, they are both refered to as the common name "Red Devil". The vast majority of stock in the United States are hybrids of both species anyhow. So in a sense, they can both be refered to as Red Devils.

If you want to be totally correct tho, The Midas (A. Citrinellus) and The Red Devil (A. Labiatus) are really two distinct species. Hope that helps.