Red Devil Cichlid Story

I never found fish particularly exciting or interesting until I met my "Red Devil" better known as "Mr. Fish". I adopted him from a friend when he was four years old; he lived to the ripe old age of 15yrs. I couldn't believe it had been a 11yrs since I first set eyes on "Mr.Fish". Time truly does fly by when you are in the company of a big handsome red fish.

His Name Suited Him

I can't take credit for his name but I can honestly say it suited him well. When I first brought him home I knew absolutely nothing about the wonderful world of fish. I would learn and delve deeper into it as the years passed.

No Clue About Cichlids

Well the first thing I did was go shopping for fish supplies totally clueless on what the do's and dont's were in raising a "Red Devil". I couldn't get help from the previous owner as she had moved out east that is why I took Mr. Fish. I should have got more info when I picked him up. One of the first things I learned about my Cichlid was that he didn't like plants in his tank. I had bought a couple of nice plants to decorate his tank with; I tried every corner in that tank but Mr. Fish pulled them out and tore them up. I finally got the point and gave up trying to decorate his tank with plants.

Book on Cichlids

My next visit to the pet store was to see about getting some more fish to put in the tank with "Mr.Fish" so he wouldn't be all alone. I finally chose a couple of fish that I thought would look nice in the tank. During my conversation with the salesman I mentioned that I already had a "Red Devil Cichlid" at home. The salesman explained to me if I put any other fish in with my "Red Devil" he would kill them and or eat them. He told me that they don't even like the company of their own kind; explaining that they are loner fish. At this point I decided my next purchase would be a book on Cichlids instead so I would have a better idea with what I was dealing with.

Loner Fish

Well I did learn some interesting things about my fish's breed. I found out that the "Red Devil" is found in South America and is known to be an aggressive fish and a loner by choice. I can understand them not liking their own kind because I know there is a few of my own kind I am not too fond of either.

Special Bond

Well over the years "Mr. Fish" and I had created a close bond with each other. In fact my pet name for him was "my little water dog." I called him this because he loved me to pat the top of his head not unlike a dog. People couldn't believe it when they seen him come up for a head pat from me.

White Glove Fish

In all the years I had owned him he was never aggressive towards me instead he was very gentle. The only time he showed aggression is when I put on the white cleaning glove I used to clean his tank. Mr. Fish hated this glove with a passion I think he saw it as another big white fish invading his territory. Well one time I got too close to him while wearing the glove and he bit my hand. I had a perfect red circle on my hand where he had bitten me. But in all fairness to my beloved fish as far as he was concerned he wasn't biting me but the nasty "Glove Fish".

Forever Hooked

I never thought I would get so much joy from a fish but I have to admit I was Hooked! He recently passed away but I still keep finding myself looking over to his empty tank waiting for him to swim up for a head pet. I truly didn't think I could become so emotionally attached to a fish but I did. I feel blessed to have had the honor of sharing many happy years in the company of dear "Mr.Fish".

Dedicated to the Memory- of my dear little Waterdog - Mr.Fish 1998-04/14/2013