Red Devil pairing and breeding

[GermanFishKeeper]

Hi everyone,


I recently set up a 140-gallon tank as a dedicated breeding setup for two Red Devil cichlids. They’ve been with me for about three days now. Before I even focus on breeding, my main goal is to help them form an actual pair. I think I have a male and a female.


The male can be a bit moody at times. Towards her. He occasionally gets aggressive toward his reflection at the water surface and spends some time “fighting” with it. The two fish tolerate each other, but I haven’t noticed any clear signs of bonding or pairing so far.


For those with experience: how can I encourage pair formation, and what are the signs that the two are actually pairing up? Also, are there specific conditions, water parameters, tank layout, hiding places, or diet that help Red Devils settle in and start showing natural breeding behavior?


Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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[GermanFishKeeper]

Here are some Photos the last one is from the Day they arrived.

 

[danotaylor]

Were they house together before you bought them?
If they are newly brought together and the big guy is aggressive towards the smaller it may be necessary to put a divider in the tank for a while.
Did you vent them to check their sex?

 

[GermanFishKeeper]

I bought them from a Tank with a lot of Red devils. The former Keeper told me that the smaller one is a female. I dindnt vent them because i thought that might stress her out.

 

[GermanFishKeeper]

So i am not sure

 

[GermanFishKeeper]

But she certainly looks like a female. And Shows a lot of interest in him.

 

[danotaylor]

I’m actually clueless with Red Devils as far as body shape gender ID’ing goes. I would have prob guessed male tho w the small nuccal hump and long pointy dorsal fin
Is there a market for RD fry where you live, or are you just interested in breeding them for your own pleasure?

 

[tlindsey]

I agree with danotaylor about a divider. You could also cut a section of the divider so only the smaller Red Devil could get through if the larger one gets too aggressive.