Red Devil Tankmates - hear me out

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holidayinn

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 11, 2008
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London
Hi All

I've searched the forums and done my research and quickly learnt that tankmates with Red Devils is an extremely risky business.

I think I have found an exception to the rule with a couple of RDs i'm thinking about getting hold off. These are a breeding pair and currently in a 300l tank with Severums, Plecs and Clown Loaches. Overstocked? Probably, but it's not my tank! I have seen the fish and there is no aggression and the current keeper claims it has always been this way. All the fish were grown up together and are full size now, about 5 years old.

I am considering homing the RDs in my 6 foot 150 gallon tank. and am specifically tempted by these 2 as they don't seem to be the 'devils' that many are, pretty docile when I saw them.

Would there be anything I can keep with them? I have heard of people suggesting blackbelts, jaguars and other very aggressive fish. But think that the RDs live with the clowns and severum as they are passive and provide no threat as well as a different type of body-shape.

Straight to the point, I'm thinking couple of large, peaceful SA cichlids maybe an O, Sev or Chocolate cichlid. I know these wouldnt be recommended in usual circumstace, but I would keep an eye on things and do have spare tank and dividers at the ready, I think it would be worth a shot, but have never owned RDs before so am not sure, what do you think?

Would you go for v.aggressive tankmates? SA tankmates? The severums that are already there?
 
Well you have to keep the RD's with other large cichlids that can hold there own. I have a mix sa/ca tank and you get the occasional scuffle here and there but nothing serious. As long as you have the tank space so they can establish their own territory. I had 2 male dovii living with 2 RD's a midas, Trimac and many others. But they are in my 300g. But RD's are hit or miss. Sometimes you get a real passive one or a Devilish one. Make sure they are the last ones introduced to ur tank.
 
from my point of view is a pond and they are fine but in a tank and they are supper bad ass well thats my pair anyway
 
Its going to be trial n error what you put in for tank mates. You will see what you can or cannot put together.
 
Thanks for the tips.

I guess I need to find fish that are either big or grow big quick and easily available. So maybe severums and/or Oscars would be a best first bet if my theory is correct.

I realise it is trial and error, but what would you trial first?
 
I'm afraid you won't have the same success. It is not as easy to mix adult aggressive cichlids. Growing them up together gives you a lot better chance but certainly doesn't mean it will work.
 
I've always had good luck with smaller african cichlids being kept with Midas/RD. The africans (if given good hiding spots) are too quick and smart for a full grown Devil.
They also eat the little food particles that shoot out of the bigger fish's gills!
 
I have a breeding pair Rds in a 125g. Current tanks makes are Green terror and 2 honduran red points. Everything gets along until the RDs begin to spawn. Once that starts I have to move everything to my other 125g. Ive had the male tear up my GT and eat pretty much all teh fins on my HRPs. My suggestion is to see how they are when they spawn. If they attack your hand or anything like that then I wouldn't put to much with them during their spawn times.
 
Thanks for the info everyone. After much thought, decided its prob not a great idea to introduce Oscars or Sev's etc, wouldn't be worth the risk.

Decided to go with prob some sort of convicts as dithers with my clown loaches, maybe some SD or Tinfoil Barbs. This way the RD's would always be dominant. Will keep an eye out if they spawn, but unlikely to get far with clowns around.
 
The thing is you don't know if they'll accept any new tank mates at your place, let along each other.


If you do decide to go for it, I suggest getting large tank mates and introduce them first before the pair.
 
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