🔥🐟 Red Devil Cichlid / Midas Cichlid / Midevil Cichlid

(Amphilophus citrinellus) – Large, Powerful, and Highly Intelligent Central American Cichlid

The Red Devil Cichlid, Midas Cichlid, and the hybrid commonly called “Midevil” are some of the most iconic and impressive large cichlids in the aquarium hobby. Known for their bold personality, incredible coloration, and strong territorial instincts, these fish are a favorite among experienced aquarists who enjoy interactive, intelligent, and powerful species.

The Red Devil and Midas are pure species (Amphilophus citrinellus), while the popular Midevil is a hybrid between the two — created for enhanced color, body shape, and vibrancy.

🔎 Quick Facts – Red Devil / Midas / Midevil Cichlid

⚔️ Temperament & Behavior

🔥 Extremely territorial
These fish are well-known for defending their space aggressively, especially during breeding and nesting.

🧠 Highly intelligent
They recognize owners, follow movement, learn feeding routines, and may even take food from your hand.

🏗️ Tank builders
They dig, move rocks, and rearrange décor — secure everything well.

🙅 Best kept alone or with large, equally aggressive species
Tankmates require careful selection.

🏡 Tank Setup

🏞️ Tank Size

• Single adult: Minimum 75 gallons
• Breeding pair: 125–150 gallons+
• Bigger is better for aggression control.

🪨 Décor

• Heavy rocks, caves, and secured hardscape
• Fine sand substrate for digging
• Tough décor — they will move things

💧 Filtration

• Heavy filtration required
• Red Devils/Midas are big eaters and messy
• Sumps or large canisters recommended

🌡️ Water Parameters

• Temp: 74–80°F (23–27°C)
• pH: 6.8–7.8
• Hardness: Moderate

🍽️ Diet

These cichlids are opportunistic omnivores with strong appetites.

🧆 Staple foods:

• High-quality cichlid pellets
• Floating or sinking large pellets

🍤 Protein foods:

• Krill
• Shrimp
• Silversides (sparingly)

🥬 Vegetable matter:

• Spirulina pellets
• Blanched spinach
• Peas
• Zucchini

💡 A varied diet enhances color and reduces aggression.

🧬 Midevil Hybrid – What Is It?

The Midevil Cichlid is a selectively bred hybrid of:
👉 Red Devil × Midas Cichlid

Hybrids often show:

• More intense red/orange coloration
• More compact, muscular bodies
• Enhanced head shape (nuchal hump)
• Increased hardiness

They're popular because they combine the best traits of both parent species.

🧠 Special Care Notes

🔒 Lid security is important
These fish can hit lids hard when startled.

🎯 Provide mental stimulation
PVC tubes, rearrange décor occasionally, target feeding, floating toys.

💬 Very interactive
They quickly become “wet pets” and bond with owners.

⭐ At a Glance

• Large, extremely impressive display fish
• Best kept solo or with other large Central American cichlids
• Known for personality, intelligence, and unmatched aggression
• Bright, fiery colors that stand out in any aquarium
• Long-lived — often 10–15+ years with proper care