Red Devil Cichlid Story
Mr.Fish
Fish Tale
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
Recognition of Fish
Do you believe that a fish is capable of recognizing a human individual?
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Comments
Hey i have a red devil my self, Kusco is his name. The name comes from a tv show i used to watch. He is probubly about 6 months old, i love the red devil i have had one before him but had to give him to another home becasue i couldnt put him in my bigger tank cuz he was to small but he had a good life going to my friend who had 2 oscars and he is still doing nice. Right now kusco is in a tank with a red terror and they are the best of friends, they help each other catch feeders by distracting them and then ambushing them its pretty cool but yeah i have never had a fish who has a best friend.
Cool I love r.d's I have a breeding pair tell mr.fish I said hello
Interested to read about this species of Cichlid which I haven't come across before. I got a lot of pleasure from Keeping Tropheus Moorii cichlids which are an African Species, but they weren't quite the individual personalities that Mr Fish clearly is.
- AUTHOR
Thanks Mel for checking out my hub on my beloved waterdog (Mr.Fish) hope your four-legged friends are keeping the ear-mites at bay. Take care.
Great story. I saw your comment on my hub about ear mites and you mentioned your little red devil. Being the curious type I had to check it out. I have never heard of a fish doing all the things you mentioned - very entertaining!
- AUTHOR
Thank you for the lovely comment on my hub Volitans. take care pam.
Mr. Fish does sound like quite the character! It's amazing how much more you appreciate fish after you actually keep them. My flametail blenny knows that Big Shadow coming over to the tank means food, so whenever I approach the tank he comes out of his lair to show off in hopes that I'll give him a nice piece of seaweed.
I've never had one try to vie for physical attention, though. Sounds like a delightful fish you have.
- AUTHOR
Please forgive the late reply I have been off line for a few months but I am back and I must agree with you I find fish poop much less revolting than dog or cat poop.
- AUTHOR
Thanks so much for the vote up much appreciated sorry it has taken me so long to reply I have not been on hubpages for months.
I like this one and prefer fish over having to pick up dog poop or cleaning a cat litter box, good advice on the Red devil/
WOW... I love your story! Fourteen years? That's amazing. I don't know if my fish would last this long. I have read about some fish wanting to be petted just like a dog. My fish weren't like that though. Or at least I never really tried. What is amazing about one of my fish is that he used to jump to get the food from my fingertips. I would feel him gently taking the food from me so as not to hurt my fingers. I suppose you never had any fish before Mr. Fish. For a first timer, you did a great job. A vote up for you and Mr. Fish!
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