Red Devil Woes... some general questions

[Granthem]

Hi guys and grrls,

Recently purchased a red devil for my tank, around 8cm long.

2 main questions I have are...

1. How long do these fish usually take to get settled? It has been in the tank for around a month now, and in the pet shop was an inquisitive fish. However, at home it has since proceeded to hide continously, only popping out to grab food once you have walked away. I was hoping by now the fish would be more confident around me.

2. My devil also has a funny growth on its lip. Its the same orange colour as the rest of its skin, however its growing from its bottom lip. Possbile birth defect? or a common problem considering they are always shifting the tank around?

Hopefully he grows up and is as nice to look at an interact with as our large Green terror.

All help/experiences appreciated

 

[pcfriedrich]

is he alone? it could be tankmates, if there are no tankmates, maybe dithers would help. or, it could just take more time. its kinda weird, though. RDs aren't known for being shy.

the growth on the lip? I don't know. probably harmless.

 

[Granthem]

yeh. Most cichlids ive seen are not shy. To put it bluntly, this thing is a sissy.

Other fish were in the tank, only feeder fish though and at night when the lights are out its obvious he goes hunting for them.

But no, no other fish in the tank, I was hoping I could grow him up to be very personal. I might be impatient but its getting frustrating...

Any more ideas welcome. I might look into a tank buddy? If not I will just wait it out i guess!

 

[Granthem]

I guessing its probably actually a midas cichlid though, of the more pure red devils I've seen on these forums mine is missing the large, over inflated looking lips!

 

[pcfriedrich]

maybe some dithers or another cichlid would help. simply adding a smaller convict or a firemouth could help bring out some of your RDs personality (may just need something to bully). or you could try some tetras or barbs.

I'd recommend the con or firemouth. it would be more interactive than dithers, so he'd be reacting to it.

 

[pcfriedrich]

I guessing its probably actually a midas cichlid though, of the more pure red devils I've seen on these forums mine is missing the large, over inflated looking lips!

probably a RD/Midas hybrid.

By the way, Welcome to ]V[FK!!!

 

[Granthem]

Thanks for the welcome. Ive been poking my head around here for a while as a visitor

OK then, I'll have a look around into prices for those fish.

My tank isnt huge, around 46 Gallons, I'm planning on growing it up until its too big then passing it on to dads tank. Obviously as the RD matures its going to hate a firemouth/con in my tank if i get one?

 

[Granthem]

Ill take some pics tonight and upload them tomorrow for you. Probably will show the fish better. However, because its a sissy, it wont be easy

 

[Granthem]

He also has a favorite cave. Its what he always runs and hides in. I have considered taking some of the shelter out and forcing him to become comfortable with me/people walking past.

Although this could possibly over stress him/her?

 

[AMG]

He also has a favorite cave. Its what he always runs and hides in. I have considered taking some of the shelter out and forcing him to become comfortable with me/people walking past.

Although this could possibly over stress him/her?

I had one RD that would always hide and act like a spastic freak (smashing into the tank, panicking for nothing). Took the cave out and saw great improvement in the fishes confidence. He also ate better too.

My Current RD is the same way. Give him shelter and he becomes a complete antisocial skittish fish. Again, I removed the cave and he acts happy and outgoing, always patrolling the tank and begging for food.

Take from this what you will. But I won't keep caves with my RDs if they are alone because of the reasons stated above.