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	Red Devil Tankmates
Revolution Small Fry Posts: 5 Kudos: 1 Votes: 0 Registered: 08-Sep-2007	I have just purchased a 110 gallon tank for my Red Devil and I'd like to get something in a tankmate, however, he's pretty much intolerant of anything. I have some bristlenose cats in there that he never bothers but anything else is in trouble. I figure I have two options; a pleco or another large equally aggressive cichlid. Is another cichlid even worth considering? I do like plecos.
Posted 09-Sep-2007 04:34
bettachris Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3875 Kudos: 4173 Votes: 452 Registered: 13-Jun-2004	if you have a super aggressive cichlid now, why get another one for the same tank.. That will just lead to a road of disaster.. You can get a common pleco. Most predators do leave these kinds of fishes alone. Welcome to the site anyway.
Posted 09-Sep-2007 04:42
longhairedgit Fish Guru Lord of the Beasts Posts: 2502 Kudos: 1778 Votes: 29 Registered: 21-Aug-2005	Edited by longhairedgit Thats kind of the point of a red devil, and how they got the name, you dont put them in community. They are a pretty evil tempered , extremely territorial fish, where often pair bondings with their own species dont even last. This is definately one of the top ten freshwater fish for aggression. A red devil will kill just about any cichlid that doesnt kill them first. Nobody seriously plans a community around red devils. They persecute and kill on sight, even people with pairs usually have tank seperators handy.
Posted 09-Sep-2007 08:43
Revolution Small Fry Posts: 5 Kudos: 1 Votes: 0 Registered: 08-Sep-2007	I'm not looking for a community tank, just something something else in the tank to look at. I guess another cichlid is out of the question, but I figure a couple of nice plecos would contrast pretty well. he's interested in the cats but they rarely draw his attention. A 2 foot Sailfin might too much though. I'm fully aware of their temperament. My roommates and I often joke our Red is just opposable thumbs away from murdering us all in our sleep.
Posted 09-Sep-2007 12:07
Mez Ultimate Fish Guru Asian Hardfeather Enthusiast Posts: 3300 Votes: 162 Registered: 23-Feb-2001	Dunno, Some big plecos will chase big cichlids, too, although in a 120g i'd be tempted to house the thing singaly.
Posted 10-Sep-2007 22:38
Revolution Small Fry Posts: 5 Kudos: 1 Votes: 0 Registered: 08-Sep-2007	I've actually start an experiment. My roommate has a surplus Melacrono auratus )sp? definately) and I've moved him in with the Devil. I've set up a huge cave at one end of the tank with two level and 8 entrances/exits. I've also broken up the bottom 6 inches of tank so there's only one open stretch. The Auratus has been in two days and hasn't a scratch. He's moved into the cave and will swim openly with the Devil. He seems to understand Red is a fatal threat and continually monitors his position. He'll move about based on where the Devil is, often swimming close behind him to "sneak" around. At time it seems as if he's almost toying with him, as the Auratus knows where he can fit, and where the Devil can't. It's fascinating to watch. I understand that the Aurataus is one wrong move away from being crushed between 8mm glass and one big fish, but I think he's gonna make it. Sensible tank setup FTW.
Posted 11-Sep-2007 14:47
desiredusername Enthusiast Posts: 182 Kudos: 99 Votes: 36 Registered: 26-Sep-2006	revolution, assuming your red devil is fairly big, your auratus will be fine. He wont even consider the comparitvley tiny auratus a threat, and so won't kill him. If i were you i would try some decent sized giant danios. They will survive due to the speed and manouverability as long as they have somewhere to ecsape to.
Posted 13-Sep-2007 10:19
Revolution Small Fry Posts: 5 Kudos: 1 Votes: 0 Registered: 08-Sep-2007	I think so too. Though my caves were knocked down over the weekend. I think its more a case of Red not being able to catch him rather than tolerating his presence. They seem to have reached a stalemate at least. On a side note, his hump has nearly doubled in size since he's been in this new tank, but he hasn't reached Chernobyl victim yet. He's a damn gorgeous fish. I'm gonna take some photos so I might post a couple.
Posted 16-Sep-2007 15:09


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