Topic: red devil

[AngryCichlids]

OK I got this red devil about six months ago. He was less than an inch when I got him but he is now about six inches now. The problem is he isnt that agressive. I wanted a really aggressive fish that would attack my hand and stuff when I put my hand up to the tank. He is showing no agression and he even has tank mates that are less than half his size that I thought I would have had to move by now. My question is is he going to get any more aggressive or should I just buy a new fish. I would like to get a haitian cichlid a jaguar or just something that will be mean.

[Gerry]

Fish don't show their true nature until maturity which is around a 9 months to year old

[AngryCichlids]

Is that what normally happens because every site that I have seen on the internet has said that they are fairly aggressive but once they reach 4-6 inches they will not allow any other fish in their tank.

[Gerry]

profile http://www.worldcichlids.com/portal/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=42&topic=15285.0

[AngryCichlids]

I dont think it mentioned when they hit maturity or when they get more aggressive.

[Ezekial]

It also depends on whether you got a male or female, how big the tank is, how good your water quality is, etc.  Females are less aggressive. 

[Courtney]

You might have a female. I had a male that bit so hard I would bleed. But he was 12".

[Gerry]

Why is it so important for it to be mean?

[mrbigfish]

That was my question Gerry? Am I missing something here. Why would you want a fish to attack your hand?

[AngryCichlids]

The attacking the hand was just an example because my local fish store has a big jaguar cichlid and it attacks you if you come near the tank and I thought that was really cool and I just wanted a big aggressive fish. The tank is 55 gallon he is a male because he has a big hump on his head he is almost 6 inches now And I clean the water about fifty percent every week. I feed him hikari cichlid gold 3 to 4 times a dy and every once and a while I will give him some worms. I bought him because I wanted a really aggressive fish and I heard a red devil was one of the most aggressive. If I didnt want an aggressive fish I could have gotten a bunch of tetras or goldfish or something else that is really boring like that.

[Courtney]

Every fish is different. You can't just dismiss a fish because it doesn't do what you want it to. Every fish is different. Usually when they reach 12" they get super aggressive.

[tracey]

Cichild behaviour is as variable as their colouration.  You could have a female, which will turn a little aggressive but nowhere near what a male might.  Or you might have one of those rare RD's that just isn't aggressive.  It does happen.

6" in 6 months is a really good growth rate, but it might mean that his personality will take a little longer to catch up with his size.  6 months is still pretty young, and aggression tends to come with sexual maturity.  As Gerry said, 9 months to a year old is closer to that maturity, so it may just be a case of giving him a little extra time for his mind to catch up with his body.  

[AngryCichlids]

^^^^^^
That makes more sense thanks and ya is growin super fast and hasnt really slown down. Thanks

[mrbigfish]

Ok, I understand.

[mattmean]

I would sell him off and your other fish and start over honestly. Maybe your lfs has a credit system. Jags will outgrow your 55, so will a Devil TBH. But if it's the only fish and a show piece one. You can get away with it. Also use a blue background its best for most of the Amphilous varieties.