The Red Devil Diary

[FINWIN]

Kratos was just doing a taste test of you versus the pellets! Rule of thumb (or pinkie) is when a toothy cichlid is checking you out, they are CHECKING YOU OUT.

Sounds like that tank's gone to the devil already...

 

[Cichlids-r-beasts]

Kratos was just doing a taste test of you versus the pellets! Rule of thumb (or pinkie) is when a toothy cichlid is checking you out, they are CHECKING YOU OUT.

Sounds like that tank's gone to the devil already...

No doubt, I thought I’d be worried about him tagging me when he got to 6-7 inches, but not during his first water change. Little guy got me and was like “welcome to hell buddy” lmao.

Jexnell

I’m curious to know at what size Casper started tagging you cause I know he got you good a lot of times

 

[Jexnell]

It started when he was around 3 to 4 in, mostly only when fry were in the tank.
At the time I called them tickle nipples. It wasn't till around 8in or so when he and his mouth had the size and teeth to to actually draw blood.

 

[Cichlids-r-beasts]

It started when he was around 3 to 4 in, mostly only when fry were in the tank.View attachment 1543637
At the time I called them tickle nipples. It wasn't till around 8in or so when he and his mouth had the size and teeth to to actually draw blood.
View attachment 1543638

Tickle nipples is hilarious lmao.

Yeah no doubt, Amphilophus species may have smaller mouths and shorter teeth than the Parachromis family but they have stronger jaws (likely at similar or equal sizes) I’ve heard.

 

[Jexnell]

I think it more so breaks down upon who we are talking about.
Citrinellus "Midas" are know to me more of an ambush predator. Hiding close to the river banks amongst the rocks waiting for a victim to swim by.
Labiatus "Red Devils" are more of a suckerfish with the big lips scraping algea all day
Saggitae are an open water hunter. Living out in the open parts of lakes having to chase down its food.

 

[Cichlids-r-beasts]

I think it more so breaks down upon who we are talking about.
Citrinellus "Midas" are know to me more of an ambush predator. Hiding close to the river banks amongst the rocks waiting for a victim to swim by.
Labiatus "Red Devils" are more of a suckerfish with the big lips scraping algea all day
Saggitae are an open water hunter. Living out in the open parts of lakes having to chase down its food.

I always thought that open water hunters and piscivores would have huge mouths and long teeth built for gripping fish no? Like Dovii and Managuense.

 

[Jexnell]

One would think so. But they got it done with lots of small sharp teeth. Any pictures of them from the wild are the same. Out in the open portions of water near a some rocks as it's base of operations. Maybe that's why Casper always dug pits right by the rocks.

 

[Cichlids-r-beasts]

Another day another update, I don’t wanna be spamming this thread so I’ll mostly be doing updates once a day or once every 2 days now, unless something happens of course.
Kratos is doing amazing now, very bold and is eating like a pig. He now goes for the pellets first and then tries to eat the tetra flakes, greedy lil mofo lol.

Little shoutout to the Serpae Tetras for doing their job as well. They might be my favorite tetra species now. Great schooling fish, I love them so much I think I’ll get a couple more to make a school of 8-10 and since they do better in large groups to avoid bullying. I bought 6 but one died. He either got picked on or either Kratos murked him. I think the latter is unlikely because I’ve never seen him pay them any attention. Couple more pics for you guys.

 

[FINWIN]

With some cichlids what you find isn't what you see! They NEVER do the deed in front of you. Almost always at night too!

 

[Cichlids-r-beasts]

A couple pics of Kratos on a rainy day. Probably one of the boldest cichlids I’ve owned, especially at such a size like this. Hard to take good photos of him when he can’t stop moving and begging for food but if I dare put my hand in the tank he prepares for war lol. What a character. He has also bulked up a little. Curious to find out what his growth rate will be like, maybe close to an inch a month in ideal conditions? I’ve heard they’re fast growers so I think he can match my female O and Buttikoferi in growth rate.