🐟 Diablo Bifa × Super Red Syn Cichlid – Rare Captive-Bred Vieja Hybrid

The Diablo Bifa × Super Red Syn Cichlid is a spectacular captive-bred Central American cichlid hybrid produced by combining the intensely colored Diablo strain Bifa with a Super Red Syn breeding line.

This designer cross was developed for extreme red, orange, yellow, pink, and metallic coloration, along with the thick body, strong personality, and impressive adult presence associated with large Vieja-type cichlids.

Because this is a hybrid rather than a naturally occurring species, individual fish can develop very differently. Some may lean strongly toward the Bifa parent in body pattern and coloration, while others may display heavier red, orange, blue-green, or marbled coloration from the Super Red Syn side.

For aquarists who enjoy rare, individually unique Central American cichlids, the Diablo Bifa × Super Red Syn can become an incredible centerpiece fish.

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🔎 Quick Facts – Diablo Bifa × Super Red Syn

• 📛 Common Name: Diablo Bifa × Super Red Syn Cichlid
• 🧬 Scientific Identification: Vieja sp. Hybrid
• 🧬 Parent Lines: Diablo Bifa × Super Red Syn
• 🐟 Family: Cichlidae
• 🐣 Origin: Captive Bred
• 🌎 Wild Ancestry: Central America
• 🎨 Type: Designer / Selectively Bred Hybrid
• 📏 Expected Adult Size: Approximately 10–14"+ depending on genetics and sex
• 🏠 Recommended Aquarium: 125 gallons or larger for one adult
• 👥 Pair / Community: 180+ gallons strongly preferred
• 🌡️ Temperature: Approximately 75–82°F
• 💧 pH: Approximately 7.0–8.0
• 🍽️ Diet: Omnivore with a strong plant-based component
• 😠 Temperament: Semi-aggressive to aggressive
• 🐠 Swimming Area: Middle / Lower
• 🥚 Breeding: Potentially fertile substrate-spawning hybrid
• ⭐ Care Level: Intermediate to Advanced
• 🏆 Availability: Rare specialty hybrid

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🧬 What Is a Diablo Bifa?

The Diablo Bifa is an aquarium strain of:

Vieja bifasciata

The Diablo line was selectively developed from red-variant Vieja bifasciata breeding stock and is known for producing especially intense coloration.

Vieja bifasciata, commonly known as the Twoband Cichlid, originates from Central American river systems in Mexico and Guatemala.

The Diablo strain is particularly valued for:

• Deep red coloration
• Burgundy coloration
• Bright orange
• Yellow
• Pinkish tones
• Powerful body structure

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❤️ What Is a Super Red Syn?

Super Red Syn is an aquarium trade name rather than a scientifically recognized species or subspecies.

The “Syn” name originates from the older aquarium name:

Vieja synspilum

Modern taxonomy generally recognizes these fish under:

Vieja melanura

Super Red Syn breeding lines have been selectively developed for traits including:

• Intense red coloration
• Orange coloration
• Pink coloration
• Blue-green pearling
• Reduced dark coloration
• Bright heads and shoulders

Different breeders may have developed their Super Red Syn lines differently.

For this reason, exact genetic ancestry should not be assumed unless breeder lineage is available.

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🎨 Appearance

This hybrid has the potential to develop an incredible combination of colors.

Possible adult coloration includes:

• 🔴 Deep red
• 🟠 Orange
• 🟡 Yellow
• 🌸 Pink
• 💚 Green
• 💙 Turquoise
• ⚫ Black markings
• ⚪ Pale cream areas

Depending on the individual, markings may include:

• Dark lateral blotches
• Broken black bands
• Speckling
• Metallic scales
• Turquoise pearling
• Red facial coloration
• Orange flanks
• Black-and-red contrast

Every Fish Is Different

Because this is a hybrid:

Exact adult color and pattern cannot be guaranteed.

A juvenile may change dramatically as it matures.

Appearance can be influenced by:

• Genetics
• Age
• Sex
• Dominance
• Diet
• Breeding condition
• Lighting
• Aquarium background
• Water quality

That individual variation is one of the main attractions of designer Vieja hybrids.

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📏 Adult Size

There is no scientifically established maximum size for this particular hybrid.

Based on its parental background, customers should plan for:

Approximately 10–14"+ total adult length

Large males may potentially exceed the average depending on genetics.

Do not purchase this fish based only on its juvenile size.

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🏠 Aquarium Size

For one mature Diablo Bifa × Super Red Syn:

125 gallons or larger

is recommended.

For:

• A breeding pair
• Multiple large cichlids
• A mixed Vieja aquarium

I strongly recommend:

180 gallons or larger.

More space allows the fish to:

• Establish territory
• Escape aggression
• Swim naturally
• Grow properly
• Avoid constant conflict

Aquarium footprint is more important than excessive height.

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🪨 Aquarium Setup

Recommended setup includes:

• Sand or smooth gravel
• Large driftwood
• Large rocks
• Caves
• Visual barriers
• Open swimming space
• Strong biological filtration
• Heavy mechanical filtration
• Good oxygenation

Secure All Décor

Large Vieja-type cichlids can be extremely powerful.

Adults may:

• Dig
• Move gravel
• Rearrange rocks
• Move driftwood
• Uproot plants

Make sure large rocks cannot collapse if the fish digs underneath them.

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🌿 Plants

A heavily planted aquarium is generally not ideal.

These fish may:

• Eat plants
• Tear leaves
• Dig around roots
• Uproot plants

Hardy species attached to driftwood or rocks may have a better chance of surviving.

Because the Bifa side of this hybrid naturally comes from a plant-eating Vieja, some plant grazing should be expected.

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🍽️ Diet & Feeding

This hybrid should be treated as an:

Omnivore with a strong plant-based component

Do not maintain it exclusively on high-protein carnivore foods.

Recommended staple foods include:

• High-quality Vieja / cichlid pellets
• Spirulina pellets
• Vegetable-based cichlid pellets
• Quality omnivore foods
• Algae wafers

Vegetable foods may include:

• Peas
• Zucchini
• Squash
• Spinach
• Romaine lettuce
• Green beans
• Other appropriate greens

Protein foods can occasionally include:

• Mysis shrimp
• Krill
• Brine shrimp
• Shrimp
• Insect-based foods

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⚠️ Avoid an Excessively Meat-Heavy Diet

The Bifa side of this hybrid originates from a species that naturally consumes substantial amounts of:

• Detritus
• Algae
• Aquatic vegetation
• Terrestrial plant material

For that reason, this hybrid should not be fed like a strict predatory cichlid.

A varied, plant-rich diet is a better long-term approach.

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💧 Water Parameters

Recommended aquarium conditions:

• 🌡️ Temperature: 75–82°F
• 💧 pH: Approximately 7.0–8.0
• 💦 Water: Moderately mineralized freshwater
• ☠️ Ammonia: 0 ppm
• ☠️ Nitrite: 0 ppm
• 🔄 Nitrate: Keep as low as reasonably possible
• 💨 Oxygenation: Good

Because this is captive bred and hybridized, exact wild-biotope parameters are not necessary.

Stable water quality is more important than trying to maintain one exact pH number.

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💩 Filtration

These are large, heavily fed cichlids.

Strong filtration is important.

Recommended filtration may include:

• Large canister filters
• Sump filtration
• Strong mechanical filtration
• Large biological filtration capacity
• Strong surface agitation

Regular partial water changes should be part of normal maintenance.

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😠 Temperament

Expect:

Semi-Aggressive to Aggressive Behavior

Young specimens may initially coexist peacefully with other fish, but temperament can change dramatically as they mature.

Adults may become territorial toward:

• Other Vieja
• Similar-looking cichlids
• Other large Central American cichlids
• Fish entering their preferred territory

Breeding can greatly increase aggression.

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🐠 Tankmates

Potential tankmates in a sufficiently large aquarium may include selected:

• Vieja-type cichlids
• Large Central American cichlids
• Large plecos
• Large catfish
• Silver dollars
• Other robust medium-to-large fish

Avoid:

• Small community fish
• Delicate fish
• Very timid species
• Long-finned fish
• Small bottom dwellers

Every individual is different.

There is no guaranteed safe tankmate for a mature large cichlid.

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♂️ Male vs. Female

Juveniles can be difficult to sex.

As they mature:

Males May:

• Grow larger
• Develop heavier bodies
• Develop broader heads
• Develop elongated dorsal and anal fins
• Develop a nuchal hump
• Become more territorial

Females May:

• Remain somewhat smaller
• Become fuller through the abdomen
• Display strong breeding coloration

Venting mature fish is generally more reliable than relying solely on appearance.

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🥚 Breeding

The parent types are substrate-spawning cichlids, and hybrid Vieja-type fish can also reproduce.

A compatible pair may select and clean:

• Flat rock
• Slate
• Large stone
• Flowerpot
• Other solid surface

The female deposits eggs while the male fertilizes them.

Both parents may then:

• Fan eggs
• Guard the spawning area
• Dig pits
• Move larvae
• Protect fry

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🚨 Breeding Aggression

A breeding pair can become extremely territorial.

Even a bonded male and female can injure one another.

Provide:

• Large aquarium space
• Visual barriers
• Multiple escape routes
• Divider availability
• Separate housing if necessary

Do not assume that because two fish spawned once they will remain permanently compatible.

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🧬 Hybrid Breeding Ethics

This fish is already a known hybrid.

If it is bred, offspring should always be sold honestly as:

Diablo Bifa × Super Red Syn Hybrid

or simply:

Vieja Hybrid

Never sell descendants as:

• Pure Vieja bifasciata
• Pure Vieja melanura
• Pure Synspilum
• Wild-type Vieja

Accurate hybrid identification helps prevent confusion in the aquarium hobby.

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⭐ Why Keep a Diablo Bifa × Super Red Syn?

This hybrid is especially appealing to collectors who enjoy unusual color development and individual variation.

Its potential features include:

• 🔴 Intense red coloration
• 🟠 Orange coloration
• 💙 Blue-green pearling
• 🌸 Pink tones
• ⚫ Dramatic black markings
• 💪 Powerful Vieja body shape
• 🧠 Interactive cichlid personality
• 🥚 Interesting breeding behavior
• 🧬 Unique designer genetics
• 🏆 Rare availability

Because every fish develops differently, watching a juvenile mature can be one of the most interesting parts of owning this hybrid.

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⚠️ Important Considerations

Before purchasing a Diablo Bifa × Super Red Syn:

• Understand that this is a hybrid, not a naturally occurring species.
• Expect approximately 10–14"+ adult size.
• Provide approximately 125 gallons or larger.
• Use 180+ gallons for pairs or large tankmates.
• Provide strong filtration.
• Expect considerable waste production.
• Feed substantial plant matter.
• Avoid an excessively protein-heavy diet.
• Secure rocks and driftwood.
• Expect digging.
• Expect increasing territorial behavior with maturity.
• Have a separation plan when keeping a pair.
• Never sell offspring as pure species.
• Never release aquarium fish into natural waterways.

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🧬 Hybrid Identification Disclaimer

Diablo Bifa × Super Red Syn is an aquarium breeding designation, not a scientifically recognized species.

The Diablo Bifa line is associated with selectively bred Vieja bifasciata, while Super Red Syn is an aquarium trade line historically associated with Synspilum-type Vieja.

Modern taxonomy generally treats Vieja synspilum as a synonym of:

Vieja melanura

Exact Super Red Syn ancestry may differ between individual breeder lines.

Therefore, the safest scientific identification for this product is:

Vieja sp. Hybrid

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🚚 Live Fish Shipping

Live fish are professionally packed for safe transport.

Shipping availability depends on:

• Fish size
• Destination
• Weather conditions
• Carrier availability
• Applicable state and local regulations

Please review our Shipping & Payment Information and Live Arrival Guarantee / DOA Policy before ordering.

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⚠️ Buyer Responsibility

Customers are responsible for confirming that this hybrid may legally be purchased, possessed, transported, and received in their state or local jurisdiction before ordering.

Never release aquarium fish into local waterways.

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