is it true?

[xdedex]

is it true that Red devils will bite you when you clean the tank? how long before one outgrows a 30gal you think?

 

[fishdude07]

ive never heard of that. but then again, i dont know anyone whos ever had a red devil. i dunno if red devils even have teeth...oscars dont. they just have a hard membrane thing for biting and such. so maybe its the same case with red devils. wish i could help more

 

[fishboy]

Some do.. some don't depends on the tank. Kind of a trial and error sorta deal. Spawning cichlids will attack pretty much anything that is moving in the tank, so watch out. I have actually had a severum break skin before, for no apparent reason.

I would say that in the next like 3-4 months, you will need to move it, depending on the size of the fish now. I would suggest at least a 55 gallon.

 

[wayne]

Plenty of cichlids will bite you, thoguh you can never tell.

You'll find red devils can grow pretty quickly , and you should be looking for an inch a month. Anything much bigger than 6 inches always looks pretty sad in a 3 foot tank

 

[Purple]

I've been bitten by Oscars a few times - but only once in anger, which will teach me to move his favourite rock. He turned on his tail and struck hard, no teeth marks, but a red patch on the back of my finger. Wouldn't worry about getting bitten - it's more like being pecked.

By the way fishdude07 - before you tell me it can't happen like that cos O's don't have teeth - do a bit of research......

"Like all cichlids, oscars possess teeth not only in their jaws but a set of pharyngeal teeth as well. Teeth in the jaws are small and used for grasping while those in the throat (the pharyngeal teeth) manipulate and process prey items.

Source: Flordia Museum of Natural History: Ichthyology - Biological Profiles: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/oscar/oscar.html

 

[Cichlidian]

I've seen devils attack. But the one i saw was a 9" guy in a 3' tank. They are basically agressive sp and their agression grows as they are dumped into smaller space. They do have teeth. A tank larger than 4' will save your hand from attacks while cleaning.
But it depends. Specimens of same species do have their own personalities. If u r lucky enough you may get a peaceful specimen.

 

[TaffyFish]

Plenty of cichlids will bite you, thoguh you can never tell.

I can sure tell when my hecqui bite me, I still have red marks on my hands from yesterday when I changed some decor around! If they catch you on the skin between thumb and forefinger - yowza!