Wet Pet - Which is best?

[honda237]

I leaning more toward Red Devil/Midas, probably Red Devil. I don't really feel like ordering online and no local stores carries them so my options are Petsmart or Petsmart. They sell Red Devils from 2-6" and Midas maybe 2-4". I would like a male so are there any ways to better ensure I got one? Also the Midas they have are grey and barred, these are juvie colors right?

I have a red devil from a LFS and he is just awesome, he's probably pushing a foot now, and is a monster all the time. He is also one of my favorite fish. I also have true trimacs from rapps which are growing pretty fast, but should be a nice head banger.

Also what is the black you see in some red devils the result of because I would like to avoid it if possible.

The black is "normally" just the fading and pealing that all of them do. I say "normally" because its coming from petsmart and you really never know.

 

[Gruff Master]

I agree with Honda about the questionable lineage of Petsmart Red Devils. You really don't know how they will turn out as adults. That being said, I frequent a very nice LFS that has many F0 and F1 cichlids. The cichlids there are beautiful and I have bought quite a few there but no Red Devils. All of the RDs that I have owned have come from Petsmart and they have all grown into magnificent fish. I was coerced to give up the very big one because his hump grossed out my wife (A regretful event). I bought a new one Friday, yes from Petsmart. I think I just like the fact that I can't really predict what they will be like as adults. There is always the option of going to the nice LFS for a genuine RD if I choose to. I'll post a pic of the Petsmart RD sometime. He's already a banger at 2". The Trimac pair that I plan on getting will have to be bonafide though. There's too many flowerhorns in the hobby for me.

 

[honda237]

here is for reference of the red devil i got at my LFS not a petsmart or petco, but family owned

 

[Gruff Master]

^^very nice, Honda!

 

[Aquanero]

I've seen Petsmart RD/Midas grow into some really nice looking fish. They are what they are so as long as you understand that going in it's all good. If you want to try for a male pick out the biggest most aggressive fish in the tank. That's no garentee but at least you can hedge you're bet a little, provided they're all the same age. Otherwise what else can I say, other than order one and get exactly what you want. Good luck with your pick.

Nice Devil, Honda!

 

[honda237]

Thanks guys. had him since he was 2.5", hes full of attitude all the time.

Wow i completely forgot to help you with sexing, but yes i agree with aquanero, because thats what i generally do.

 

[Chrisplosion]

I'm not to concerned with what I get, I want one thats gonna look good and possible male. As I learned with the trimac, I could careless what it is as long as it looks good.

Is there anyway to sex a 5-6" one?

I could ask our local to if they can get some in but chances are they are the same fish Petsmarts getting.

 

[Chrisplosion]

 

[Blankmanrl]

Go RD these are from rapps

 

[Natalie]

I'm not to concerned with what I get, I want one thats gonna look good and possible male. As I learned with the trimac, I could careless what it is as long as it looks good.

Is there anyway to sex a 5-6" one?

I could ask our local to if they can get some in but chances are they are the same fish Petsmarts getting.

Sure! You can sex most RD/Midas by the time they are around 6" by looking at the "vent" (the two holes just in front of the anal fin). That's pretty much the only reliable way to sex them, because some females can have long pointy fins and a nuchal hump, just like males can.