Tankmates for small red devil

[Daredevil]

Hello again everyone,
I am trying to find suitable tankmates for my 4 inch wild Red Devil, Currently he is in a 55gal with 5 5 inch Tinfoils and 1 Pleco. I tried adding a few more small red devils but he promptly killed them, added a 7 inch snakehead which he promptly killed.. He doesnt even nip at the tinfoils strangely enough.. Anyone have any suggestions? I thought about putting a red pike in with him.. I have also moved the structure in the tank about when introducing any new fish into the tank in order to reduce aggression over established territory.

P.S. Thanks for the warm welcome to my first post.

 

[Macquatic]

Hi dd, you've got a pretty aggresive fish there m8. Your options are mainly central americans of the same temperament and the same size or bigger. I'm surprised it killed the snakehead!! I don't know what you call a red pike but I can't find any info. Mac.

 

[Daredevil]

http/www.aquahobby.com/gallery/gcreni.html

They come in different color variations

 

[Macquatic]

OK Crenicichla sp. I like latin names, there is no confusion about what fish is being talked about. :laugh: Mac.

 

[pete]

I am VERY!!!!! surprised it killed a Snakehead as its usually the other way round lol :what:

Basically other large aggressive Cichlids and any armoured large Catfish

 

[cichlidmaster]

DD,
Another option is to move the red devil to a bucket with tank water in it when you place new fish in the tank. Keep the devil in the bucket for 3-4 hours with an air stone running. Re-arrange the tank decor also during this time frame. By doing this it's almost like the devil will be the "new" guy on the block.

 

[Daredevil]

I havent tried that yet, sounds like a good plan. I may have to just keep him alone in a tank. I can move him to my 40Breeder right now.. I just figured that since he was still on the small side I would keep other fish in with him. I will post some pictures of him when I get a chance.. He has very unique coloration.

 

[Great Lakes]

I had two red devils once. they terrorized the heck out of everyone, I loved 'em. Sold them before I moved planning to get a couple again. Still haven't seen any.

 

[mostanks]

this is just my 2cents,but ime you'll never find a tankmate for a wild rd or any rd in a 55gal,it's just to small,you might find a catfics(pleco)that he "might"leave alone but i'm pretty sure you're gonna run through alot of fish before you find a tankmate.

sorry hate to bust your bubble


sam :what:

 

[Daredevil]

Mos,

I tend to agree with you on that one. I have had a captively raised Red Devil that got along with a few oscars and a blue zebra. There is no comparison between the behavior of the two. The wild RD is much more aggressive, I have fed him Beefheart before and had him attack my fingers if im not careful, I dont think he has intentions of hurting me, he is just voracious. Id like to find out what other RD owners out there have in the way of setups and tankmates. I have heard that Arrowanas are compatible with RD's but they are a considerable investment. also had a friend who successfully kept an Eyebiter Compressiceps with his RD.

 

[mostanks]

it's really hard to tell what the rd will let live in that tank w/him,it's really up to the fish lol,sounds crazy :grin: but it's true.
i had a 90 gal w/an rd and the only fish it wouldn't mess with was a t.buttikoferi which was about 2"s longer,my point is you definately need atleast a 75 for an rd and anything else.
as far as the arrowanna,thats a very expensive lunch :cry: ,esp in a 55g.

 

[pete]

IMO the RD will harrass an Arrowana to death if not actually murder it :what: .

And like others have said before me a 55 is WAYYYYYYYY too small for what you intend :cry:

I think even my 6x2x2 would be too small for this purpose lmao :laugh: :laugh:

 

[Daredevil]

Pete, The 55 is a temporary home for the RD. I will be moving him into a 90 soon. I agree with you on the fact that RD's require lots of space. In fact if my RD didnt have so much personality. (Despite his being mean as H#!!) I would have gotten rid of him long ago.

 

[mostanks]

i'd keep the rd in the 55 and use the 90g for :hmm: well something else :laugh: