Red Devil, How Big Before...
- Thread starter Bderick67
- Start date
I don't know, so somebody else will probably post and tell you. However, I want to say that it doesn't necessarily depend on how big they are. If they are raised on nutritional food and high temperatures, they will be much larger at their sexually mature stage, but if they are not fed well, and kept in colder temperature, they could still be sexually mature, but still smaller.
They grow up to be a foot, or maybe a bit more, so I assume, maybe it would be sexually mature at around 10"??? I don't know.
My guess would be between 4-6 inches. Most CA/SA cichlids are sexually mature at a little less than half of the eventual size (except for convicts of course). I've heard that it's hard to red devils to breed, even if you have a pair.
It really depends on the fish and environment. I would say they are most likely fertile at that size. Try doing a couple large water changes to stimulate breeding activity. Start feeding a more varied diet also. Fish seem to like to spawn in times of plenty so maybe if you start feeding more and provide them with cleaner water it will trigger something.
In my experience water parameters are key. Add some dead coral to your tank after a large water change and bump up the temp, high 80's or ninety and you will see almost instant breeding activity. Hard water and heat is a good trigger. Good pair bonding is also important, so add a big dither to the tank for them to beat on. Sounds ugly but for the pair you will need this. A well bonded pair of devils defending a nesting spot against a common enemy is an awesome site.
