Red Devil - Good Tank Mates

[vonedaddy]

I have a 160 gallon tank I am about to erect. I wanted to have a pair of red devils and a couple other fish. I was wondering if one of you kind people have had any experience with red devils and what a good tank mate would be for them?

I appreciate your time.

 

[CFC]

Rocks and wood work well

 

[prankster705]

He means a living thing and that he won't find easy.

 

[vonedaddy]

Yep living things is what I meant!

Anyway I would like something else to have with the red devil. Maybe another cichlid the same size?? Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[juanveldez]

there has been some discussion going on these days about the midas complex of cichlids to include RDs. in the wild these fish form large schools, and have been known to spawn with the spawing sites just a meter apart. with a tank of that size you could probably get more than one RD and not have any problems. I myself am going to do something similar with a different species from this complex of fish amphilious Zalious. I am hoping to have a 300 with about 8 of these guys in it.

 

[xXMrBonesXx]

what's the dimensions of the 160 gallon

 

[Synirr]

Rocks and wood work well

Darn, you beat me to it!

 

[freddyk]

with a tank of that size you could probably get more than one RD

Of course. There's plenty of room for a compatible pair of RD's in this tank.

 

[vonedaddy]

with a tank of that size you could probably get more than one RD

Of course. There's plenty of room for a compatible pair of RD's in this tank.

I was actually thinking of getting one red devil and some other kind of fish just to mix it up. But maybe I can do two red devils. I dont know why but a picture of a red devil with a big lump on his head is just an awesome looking fish.

the tank size is:
72 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 28 1/2

It is actually a 150 gallon that will fit on my 125 stand

 

[freddyk]

But maybe I can do two red devils

Not just 2 red devils, a pair of them. Get about 6 of them, grow them up together, let a pair form, and remove the remainders. The difference between a pair and 2 (same or different species) is that a pair share a natural and compatiable existance with their bond, while 2 are simply 2 fish that would never co-exist in the wild, but might call a truce in a tank and will inevitably come to blows at some point, even if the blows aren't fatal.

 

[vonedaddy]

But maybe I can do two red devils

Not just 2 red devils, a pair of them. Get about 6 of them, grow them up together, let a pair form, and remove the remainders. The difference between a pair and 2 (same or different species) is that a pair share a natural and compatiable existance with their bond, while 2 are simply 2 fish that would never co-exist in the wild, but might call a truce in a tank and will inevitably come to blows at some point, even if the blows aren't fatal.

Very very interesting freddyk. You think the same is true if I buy 8 cichlids of different kinds?

 

[freddyk]

No you'll want the same kind. You can end up with a pair of two different kinds if they have no choice, but it's much riskier. Plus, if you ever had any intention of breeding them you'll want nice, sellable pure breds that will keep the hobby clean and pure for the true aquarists who understand the downfalls of hybrids.

 

[vonedaddy]

No you'll want the same kind. You can end up with a pair of two different kinds if they have no choice, but it's much riskier. Plus, if you ever had any intention of breeding them you'll want nice, sellable pure breds that will keep the hobby clean and pure for the true aquarists who understand the downfalls of hybrids.

Well I was not really interested in breeding... I was more just interested in having a nice tank to watch. Anyway what do you think of maybe 3 red devils and 3 jack dempseys?

 

[freddyk]

I think you'll find it works... until it doesn't anymore, but if might be worth a shot - if you're lucky you'll end up with a pair each of JD and RD and with even more luck they'll split the tank with a minimum of fuss. No matter what though, you want to look at keep them in pairs. It's not necessarily about breeding as much as keeping them as naturally as possible. By nature these guys do not like the company of other cichlids, other kinds or their own, unless it's their mate. Frankly you can stick 8 different cichlids in the tank and let them sort it out. With no territories and too many fish you may find they get along with only mild levels of aggression, but the older they get the less likely it is that it would keep working, and even if it works you'll never have a real experience keeping them this way, you'll just have a bunch of big fish existing in a tank.

 

[vonedaddy]

OK, well I appreciate your time and honest answers. It has defintely been a big help in deciding which was to go with my tank. I will have to think this through a bit but your information is def a big help.

Much appreciated.