As they’re a comparatively new hybrid, they don’t have a Latin or scientific name, so they’re typically referred to as Blood Parrot Cichlid, or simply Parrot Cichlids.
This species has been bred as a hybrid of two different species. The mother or father species are unconfirmed, however, the hypothesis suggests Midas (Amphilophus citrinellus) and Redhead (Paraneetroplus synspilus) Cichlids.
Blood Parrot Cichlid profile
In this article, I am going to talk about Blood Parrot Cichlid profile, tank mates, care, size, eggs, food, temperature, lifespan, etc.
The result’s a freshwater fish that may stay as much as 15 years if stored healthy. Be sure to will not be confusing them with saltwater Parrotfish, an unrelated species within the Scaridae family.
It’s best to deal with the Blood Parrot Cichlid as a Central American Cichlid species since each mother or father species come from this space.
They’re popular with Cichlid fans, however, it may be difficult to seek out one due to the controversy surrounding the species.
Many people argue that hybridization is unethical, so some stores refuse to promote them.
Blood Parrot Cichlid Description
Blood parrots are sometimes shiny orange in coloration, however, there are different colors that they’ll have naturally, equivalent to red, yellow, or gray.
Different colors could also be produced by dyeing the fish, which might shorten life expectancy. Some fish have been injected with a colored dye by the breeder.
One other modification, typically considered inhumane by fans, involves cutting the tail whereas small which causes the fish to develop right into a coronary heart form; these are normally offered beneath the identity of “heart parrots”.
Because the press has brought this observe to light, the vast majority of fish stockists will now not sell these modified fish.
Grownup fish can develop to a size of 8 inches (20 centimeters) and attain an age of 10 to 15 years.
Various breeds of blood parrots have been developed, such because the “King Kong parrot”, which generally fluctuates in coloration from purple to yellow.
They’ve totally functioning mouths with much less of a nuchal deformity and develop bigger. They’re normally thought of as more useful than the traditional blood parrots.
Blood Parrot Cichlid Behavior
You’ll be able to maintain them on their own, in teams, or in a community of suitable tank mates.
They’re typically a peaceful species, however, they’re simply stressed by aggressive fish, which can trigger them to act out.
They are often fairly shy and can typically hide amongst the plants and decorations.
If they know that they have got these hiding spots accessible, they will be rather more active in your aquarium.
Most of their time is spent within the center ranges of the tank, however, typically they may head lower down and begin digging searching for meals.
They’ll possibly go away a mess behind them when consuming, which can require extra cleansing.
Blood Parrot Cichlid Appearance
You’ll be able to count on adults to develop as much as eight inches lengthy, with a spherical physique, massive fins, massive eyes, and a beak-like mouth.
They’re stunning fish with a bright orange coloration to compete with a few of the most colorful fish around.
The color could be strong throughout the body, however, it’s more generally damaged up by patches of different colors (normally white).
Different colors have been bred, equivalent to red and yellow. Dyes are sometimes used to provide extra coloration varieties, however, this reduces the lifespan of the fish.
Men and women are very similar, nevertheless, males are slightly bigger.
When younger, some people have their tails cut to resemble a heart shape. They’re often known as Heart Cichlids, and most fans view this as an especially unethical process.
The hybridization of the mother or father species has precipitated a genetic defect in the place their mouth cannot totally close.
Consequently, their teeth are of their throat, which they constrict to crush up meals.
Blood Parrot Cichlid Aquarium care
Blood parrots are hardy and could also be housed by enthusiasts singly, in schools, or with complementary species beneath a variety of situations.
Ample lighting could be offered by a wide range of compact fluorescent lamps without using T5 or halide fixtures.
The fish are voracious eaters and generate vital uneaten debris throughout the feeding. Excessive quantity filtration and frequent substrate suctioning are advisable to minimize nitrates.
They’re typically very shy within the aquarium and subsequently, they require hiding spots.
These hiding spots make them feel safer, more likely to adapt, and turn out to be more energetic within the new aquarium setup if they know the place to hide if wanted.
Habitat and Tank Conditions
The Blood Parrot Cichlid doesn’t have its personal natural habitat as a result of it is the product of hybridization.
To get an idea of a setup they want, we have to take a look at the place the mother or father species stay within the wild (such because the Midas Cichlid).
These fish stay within the heat-flowing freshwaters of Central America.
The water would be effectively lit and slightly acidic. They normally inhabit areas around rocky outcroppings and tree roots which offer safety and many foods.
The riverbed would be sandy and effectively planted with vegetation.
To maintain your Blood Parrot Cichlids healthy you could recreate related situations in your aquarium.
Tank Setup
Your tank must strike a steadiness between open swimming areas and isolated hiding spots.
They want each as a result of though they normally swim across the tank, they’re typically shy and attempt to escape annoying circumstances.
You may unfold rocks, wood, or clay pots across the lower ranges of the tank to depart open water above.
Use loads of plants too. These are one other nice form of shelter and likewise, assist to take care of high oxygen ranges.
There are many species to select from, maybe Java Fern, Anubias Nana, or Hornwort.
You need to use a sandy substrate. These fish are vulnerable to dig, so a tough substrate could scratch them and result in cuts and infections.
Your filter should move the water across the tank to create a current.
The one different important piece of apparatus is a heater – set this someplace within the range of 76-80°F. The pH must be 6.5-7.4.
Tank size
A Blood Parrot Cichlid wants no less than a 30-gallon tank – this will likely be sufficient for one fish.
Each additional fish wants no less than 10 gallons to make sure that all of them have plenty of houses. The more room you may provide the better.
Blood Parrot Cichlid Tank Mates
It may be difficult to seek out appropriate tank mates as a result of Blood Parrot Cichlids is usually a little unpredictable (particularly when stressed).
You can’t even take a look at their pure companions as a result of they are not discovered within the wild.
By considering the mother or father species and past experiences, you will get a good suggestion of which fish to choose.
Tankmates have to be peaceful – additionally, they have to be fast to make a quick getaway if wanted.
Some good choices for the mid-levels include Dwarf Gourami, Angelfish, Kribensis, Tiger Barbs, Emperor Tetras, and Firemouth Cichlids.
Don’t decide on fish that are sufficiently small to be eaten like Neon Tetras or Guppies.
To fill the lower ranges, you might keep Yoyo Loaches, Corydoras Catfish, Clown Loaches, or Clown Plecos.
Invertebrates need to be avoided as they are often eaten.
Nonetheless, if you want to attempt you could maintain Apple Snails as a result of they have a particularly hard shell.
So long as you’ve got sufficient space (60+ gallons) you may maintain these fish in groups.
The more Blood Cichlids you’ve gotten, the more hiding spots you will have to spread across the aquarium.
Blood Parrot Cichlid Food
Your Blood Parrot Cichlids will eat many various kinds of meals.
They’re omnivorous, so can eat each meaty meal and vegetation.
You’ll be able to feed them dried, freeze-dried, frozen, and live meals.
They will have difficulty feeding on the floor so ideally, the meals ought to sink – so use pellets over flakes.
You should purchase dried meals that were particularly formulated for Cichlids.
Frozen and stay meals are probably the most nutritious. It’s best to complement a dried meal diet with these to provide a variety of vitamins.
This helps your fish fight off illness and retains their colors bright.
Bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp are a number of favorite treats.
Keep in mind these fish will eat even when they aren’t hungry, so restrict their feeding to twice a day.
Give them a quantity they’ll finish in a few minutes. They will get by means of lots of meals and should make a mess in the course of, so take away any extra meals earlier than it decays and performs regular water modifications.
Blood Parrot Cichlid Care
The excellent news is Blood Parrot Cichlids are a hardy species that mostly take care of themselves.
Test your water parameters every week for any sudden modifications as this will shortly result in sickness.
For instance, a temperature drop can decrease a fish’s immune system.
Efficient filtration is an important thing. Be careful for high nutrient ranges as these can contribute to blue-green algae blooms which might kill your fish. To assist your filter, you must carry out common water modifications, at least once each two weeks.
A poor diet can have an analogous impact, so you could provide a high-quality diet.
There are a number of ailments {that a} Blood Parrot Cichlid might catch.
The commonest might be Ich (white spot disease), a difficulty that impacts most aquarium fish.
In case your fish has Ich, you will notice white spots (as much as 1mm in diameter) throughout their body and fins.
To deal with this, increase the temperature to 80°F and add 1 teaspoon of salt for every 2 gallons of water.
If there is no such thing as an enhancement, you should buy medicine from pet shops too.
One other potential issue is swim bladder dysfunction.
The swim bladder is a gas-stuffed organ that controls buoyancy. If there’s a drawback, the fish may begin floating on the floor or sitting on the substrate.
To deal with, stop feeding them for 3 days, after which feed them a cooked and skinned pea as soon as a day. After a number of days of this, begin feeding them some nutritious frozen meals.
Blood Parrot Cichlid Breeding
Breeding this species is highly unreliable.
It’s because the males are typically infertile, which means they’re physically unable to provide fry.
Often females will spawn efficiently, however only with males of different Cichlid species, creating one other cross-breed.
Getting a feminine to mate will take lots of luck, however, there are some things you may try to improve the odds.
Steadily increase the temperature to 80°F, maintain their setting as clear as doable, and supply a highly dietary diet.
The feminine will lay her eggs and commit her time to care for them. Any infertile eggs will turn white and develop a fungus.
The mother and father will eat these eggs to cease the fungus from spreading to the fertile eggs.
As soon as the fry hatch, you could perform each day 25% water changes to maintain them healthy.
Feed them child brine shrimp till they’re massive enough to just accept different meals.
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