About Blood Parrot Cichlid

The Blood Parrot Cichlid is a man-made hybrid with a distinctive beak-like mouth and round body. They come in various colors including orange, red, yellow, and purple. Due to their hybrid mouth shape, they have difficulty eating and can be bullied by more aggressive fish. They are social, intelligent fish that can recognize their owners and have distinct personalities. While controversial in the hobby due to deformities from breeding, they remain popular for their unique appearance and interactive behavior. They require appropriately sized tank mates and special consideration for feeding.

Care Guide

Care Requirements

Tank Setup

Blood Parrots need space and appropriate tank mates.

Essential Setup:

  • 30+ gallons for one
  • 55+ gallons for multiple
  • Caves or hiding spots
  • Plants (may uproot)
  • Moderate filtration
  • Temperature 76-82°F

Water Quality

  • Temperature: 76-82°F (24-28°C)
  • pH: 6.5-8.0
  • Water Hardness: Soft to moderate (3-15 dGH)
  • Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
  • Nitrate: <20 ppm

Feeding

Special feeding needs due to mouth deformity:

  • Sinking pellets: Easier to eat
  • Small pellets: Regular size may be too large
  • Soften food: Some aquarists pre-soak pellets
  • Vegetables: Blanched and chopped small
  • Feed carefully: May need target feeding

Important: Their small, deformed mouth makes eating challenging.

Behavior & Compatibility

Intelligent and interactive:

  • Intelligent: Recognize owners
  • Personality: Each fish unique
  • Social: Can be kept in groups
  • Semi-aggressive: With unfamiliar fish

Good Tank Mates:

  • Medium tetras
  • Other cichlids (similar size)
  • Robust catfish
  • Silver dollars

Avoid:

  • Small fish (may be eaten)
  • Fin nippers
  • Very aggressive fish (may bully them)
  • Fast fish (outcompete for food)

Special Considerations

  • Deformed mouth: Makes eating difficult
  • Vulnerable: Can be bullied
  • Long-lived: 10-15 years
  • Size: 6-8 inches

Color Varieties

  • Orange: Most common
  • Red: Deep red
  • Yellow: Bright yellow
  • Purple: Unusual purple dye
  • “GloFish”: Fluorescent varieties

Controversy

Ethical concerns:

  • Man-made hybrid
  • Mouth deformities
  • Controversial: In aquarium hobby
  • Some countries: Ban sale
  • Personal choice: Whether to keep

Breeding

Infertile males:

  • Usually infertile: Most males sterile
  • Occasional fertile: Rare fertile males exist
  • Egg layers: If fertile

Tips for Success

  • Feed sinking, small pellets
  • Ensure food reaches them
  • Keep with appropriate sized tank mates
  • Can be bullied by aggressive fish
  • Long-lived commitment
  • Ethical considerations

Compatible Tank Mates

🐠 Medium Community Fish
🐠 Other Semi-aggressive Cichlids
🐠 Large Tetras
🐠 Robust Catfish