Red Devil grow out journal

[Bobby2415]

Yes to me the left one looks male. Right one female.

Appreciate the input. Figure I’ll pick your brain on the food situation if you don’t mind. Basically my main question/concern is if it is ok for Hikari Carnivore Pellets to be the only real source of food (other than jumbo krill as a treat)? Because that is literally the only thing my bigger guy will eat.

The only reason I even feed it is for my bichir and catfish. When I run out of the Carnivore Pellets, I’m debating on stopping using it and only feeding a more cichlid base staple pellet (imagine if he gets hungry enough he will eventually eat them). I guess the bichir and cat would be ok with just the cichlid pellets?

Orrr just keep on feeding the carnivore pellets.
I just know that midevils are more of an omnivore so I wasn’t sure if the carnivore pellets would be sufficient.

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

NIce fish I always wanted to raise up a group of aphilophus but never got around to it and now im out of space best of luck with this group

 

[Jexnell]

Appreciate the input. Figure I’ll pick your brain on the food situation if you don’t mind. Basically my main question/concern is if it is ok for Hikari Carnivore Pellets to be the only real source of food (other than jumbo krill as a treat)? Because that is literally the only thing my bigger guy will eat.

The only reason I even feed it is for my bichir and catfish. When I run out of the Carnivore Pellets, I’m debating on stopping using it and only feeding a more cichlid base staple pellet (imagine if he gets hungry enough he will eventually eat them). I guess the bichir and cat would be ok with just the cichlid pellets?

Orrr just keep on feeding the carnivore pellets.
I just know that midevils are more of an omnivore so I wasn’t sure if the carnivore pellets would be sufficient.

First off I have no experience with bichirs so I can't provide any information on them. Sorry maybe another member can.

I have kept a Sorubim lima myself and he ate the same sinking NLS pellets that I feed the cichlids.

I have had pretty good luck so far with my fish eating NLS. I did have a stubborn one but after a few days it took the pellets. A fish won't starve itself to death. You just have be more stubborn than the fish.
Just make sure you a small enough pellet that they swallow whole. You don't want them chewing it up causing a mess.

 

[Bobby2415]

First off I have no experience with bichirs so I can't provide any information on them. Sorry maybe another member can.

I have kept a Sorubim lima myself and he ate the same sinking NLS pellets that I feed the cichlids.
View attachment 1450142View attachment 1450144
I have had pretty good luck so far with my fish eating NLS. I did have a stubborn one but after a few days it took the pellets. A fish won't starve itself to death. You just have be more stubborn than the fish.
Just make sure you a small enough pellet that they swallow whole. You don't want them chewing it up causing a mess.

That’s actually the same cat that I have so that works out. Yahhh I’m just wondering if for the better overall health of the fish, it would be better to feed a more cichlid staple pellet than the carnivore pellets. I think I might just stop using the carnivore pellets when I run out and switch them over. Thanks again.

I am now officially down to 4. Literally just pulled the bigger one with the white out and bringing him to LFS. He has been chasing everyone constantly and got a hold of my big guys tail fin pretty good.

 

[Jexnell]

Yours are about the size mine were when all hell broke out. Males fighting for turf and females.

Here a young Casper gill flaring at another male, defending the female to the right.

Two males going at it.

Casper and another male squaring off.

I should think you would be fine feeding only the NLS. It's a rather balanced diet of protein and plant matter. Even straight piscavors get plant matter, in the bellies of the fish they eat.

 

[Bobby2415]

2 month update. Down to 4. 1 is considerably larger than the rest (suspected male). 1 with the white is keeping up as far as growth rate. The other 2 aren’t doing much in the growth department.

This is the smallest. Don’t really think it has grown much at all.

this is the next smallest. It’s starting to grow a little bit here lately but it’s not much bigger than the first.

this is the only one with white. 2nd largest. Growing pretty well. Pretty positive it’s female judging by rounded dorsal fin.

and last but not least the big boy (hopefully). Probably between 4”-4.5”. Definitely tank boss. Biggest, eats the most, front and center begging constantly. If they aren’t able to live in harmony together this will be my keeper for sure.

 

[DMD123]

Cool growout project! I pretty much did the same within the past year. I had a mix of Petsmart red devils and true midas with the goal of having an amphilophus mix in my 300. Having 10+ growing out in a 90 got me 4 males that were moved into the 300 and are doing well together as adults.

Keep us updated on yours. They are looking good!

 

[Bobby2415]

 

[Bobby2415]

3 month update. Still have the 4.

Smallest first. Honestly, I don’t think this one has grown at all. Maybe 2.5”.

Next smallest, maybe 3”-3.5”. This one is starting to way more and make some more noticeable growth. Still pretty small though.

2nd largest, only one with white. Maybe 4”-4.5”.
And the by far biggest one. I would at every bit of 5”-5.5”. Right on track with that 1”/month growth rate I would say. Excuse his rather large belly. Just got done devouring some frozen shrimp and algae pellets.

 

[Bobby2415]

This is their current diet. I feed a mixture of the Omega One and Hikari Gold 4 days a week. The 3 days I feed the JumboKrill and frozen shrimp I combine it with the algae wafers. Cut down to just feeding once a day.