How Much Should I Be Prepared To Pay For A Red Devil ?

[kubora666]

hey guys ive never kept a red devil before they really apeal to me, ive read up on them, i now have a job and i am going to get a red devil as a tank mates for my juvenile oscars (2) and a blood parrot, there is also a large gar in the tank and he recently attacked and killed my small nicaraguensis, the devil needs to be above 2 " and what price should i expect for the rtight size ? in £ please

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

I'd expect around about £5 to be a reasonable price for a 2-3" Red Devil most pet shops / LFS sell.

However, most aren't pure Red Devils they are a mix between Red Devils and Midas Cichlids. A PURE Red Devil has very thick lips, where as most of the crosses between Red Devils and Midas will not possess these large lips.

Take these fish from Jeff Rapps for example:

Red Devil



Very thick lips.

Now a Midas Cichlid



A rounded, less pointed head and lack of the thick lips.

A Red Devil x Midas will have a more pointed head but lack the lips. Its very difficult to get a hold of a pure Red Devil or Midas unless you have a reputable source.


On a side note - Oscars, although they may be able to cope with a Red Devil once bigger, I don't think will do too well in the juvenile stages, especially as the Red Devil's aggression grows, I think you'll be looking at some pretty beat up Oscars, but hey, I could be wrong.

Good luck!

 

[kubora666]

thanks for the info , btw these oscars are complete bullys, they battered up my green terror hes recovering in another tank, so the devil might be just what the dr ordered