red devil
Amphilophus labiatus
Cichlid endemic to Nicaragua, from Lakes Nicaragua and Managua, reaching 28.3 cm. It was introduced to Puerto Rico, where it is exotic.
Also called: ciclídeo-diabo-vermelho, mojarra picuda, red devil
- maximum
- 28 cm
- record/max.
- 0.4 kg
who is the red devil
The red devil belongs to the family Cichlidae and reaches 28.3 cm and weighs up to 444 g. It is endemic to Nicaragua and lives in Lakes Nicaragua and Managua, rarely in rivers. It lives in freshwater, near the bottom and in the water column. It eats small fish, snails, insect larvae, worms and other bottom invertebrates. The female guards the spawn, which numbers 600 to 700 eggs. It is caught commercially and used in aquariums. In Puerto Rico, where it was introduced, it is exotic.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the red devil; in the meantime, see the similar species.
identification
Cichlid up to 28.3 cm, endemic to Lakes Nicaragua and Managua, which rarely enters rivers. In the same lakes lives the midas cichlid, similar and of the same genus. The scientific name refers to the lips, a striking trait, and the common name suggests a reddish tone. Outside its natural area, it occurs in Puerto Rico, where it is exotic.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
Endemic to Nicaragua, in Lakes Nicaragua and Managua. In Puerto Rico, where it was introduced, it is exotic.
Habitat: Lakes Nicaragua and Managua, in freshwater, near the bottom and in the water column.
rules for the red devil
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
It poses no danger to anglers, but the fin spines can prick the hand. Hold it by the body, with a wet hand, never by the mouth.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01413, b = 3.07; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Amphilophus labiatus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Amphilophus labiatusNames by country and language.
