Blood Parrot Cichlid

• ExerciseModerate

  An active swimmer that appreciates open swimming space.

• GroomingAttentive tank care

  Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• Living spaceMid-size tank

  Needs a mid-size aquarium with room to swim.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment10–15 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Swim bladder disorder · Ich (white spot) · Fin rot

The Blood Parrot is not a species. It is a man-made hybrid, generally accepted to originate from crosses of Central American cichlids such as the midas and the redhead cichlid, first produced in Taiwan in the 1980s, and it reaches about 20 to 25 cm. Its defining trait is a deformed mouth that cannot close fully, which means it feeds by scooping rather than biting, and some individuals also have a compressed spine or restricted swim bladder. Two commercial practices attached to it are worth refusing outright: dyeing, in which fish are injected or dipped to produce purple and blue colours, and tattooing. Both are painful, both fade, and both should be a reason to walk out of a shop. An undyed blood parrot is nevertheless a hardy, long-lived and remarkably interactive fish. Give it 250 litres or more at 24-28C, pH 6.5 to 7.8, with a sand bed, caves and moderate flow. Feed a sinking pellet formulated for its mouth shape, plus frozen mysis and krill, and watch that slower feeders in the tank still get food, since it cannot compete for fast-sinking items. It is peaceful for a cichlid of its size, mostly infertile, and suits a community of similarly sized calm fish.

• How active is a Blood Parrot Cichlid?

  Moderate. An active swimmer that appreciates open swimming space.

• How much maintenance does a Blood Parrot Cichlid need?

  Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• What tank size does a Blood Parrot Cichlid need?

  Mid-size tank. Needs a mid-size aquarium with room to swim.

• Is a Blood Parrot Cichlid a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Blood Parrot Cichlid live?

  10–15 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Blood Parrot Cichlid?

  Keep an eye out for Swim bladder disorder, Ich (white spot), Fin rot. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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