Red Blood Parrot

fish description – Red Blood Parrot Cichlid Care Guide ($Cichlasoma\ sp.$ Hybrid)

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Cichlasoma\ sp.$ Hybrid
Common Name	Red Blood Parrot Cichlid, Blood Parrot Fish
Origin	Man-made hybrid (Central American Cichlids)
Adult Size	8–10 inches (20–25 cm)
Temperament	Peaceful for a cichlid, but may be shy; territorial when spawning
Lifespan	10–15 years
Care Level	Intermediate (due to size, waste, and special feeding needs)

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Appearance and Sexual Differences

 

• Short Description: A heavy, disk-shaped body with a round head and a small, often downward-pointing, beak-like mouth that only opens partially. The body is typically a vibrant solid red, orange, or yellow. Juveniles may display dark stress spots that fade with age.
• Coloration: Varies from deep blood-red to bright orange. The color can be maintained and intensified by feeding foods rich in beta-carotene (color enhancers). Sexing is very difficult; males are usually slightly larger than females, who will become noticeably rounder when gravid.
• Fins: Proportional, though often selectively bred for longer fins (Veiltail strains exist).
• Behavior: Surprisingly peaceful, though they may dig or exhibit territoriality around caves. They are not strong swimmers and their small mouth makes them unable to defend themselves effectively or compete well for food. They are bottom and mid-level dwellers.

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Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

 

• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons (208 liters) is the minimum for one fish. Add 10–20 gallons for each additional Blood Parrot. A large tank is crucial due to their size and high waste production.
• Schooling: Best kept singly (as a centerpiece) or in a small group of 3 or more to discourage one fish from dominating another.
• Temperature: Tropical range: $76^\circ$–$80^\circ\text{F}\ (24^\circ$–$27^\circ\mathrm{C})$. Lower temperatures can result in dull colors and weakened immunity.
• pH Level: Highly adaptable: 6.5 to 7.8. They require heavy filtration (oversized canister filters are recommended) and regular, large water changes (e.g., 50% weekly) to control the high nitrate levels they produce. Water flow should be gentle.
• Aquascape: Requires a fine sand or smooth gravel substrate for digging/sifting (avoid sharp substrates that could injure their delicate mouth/body). Provide large caves, driftwood, and pots for hiding. Hardy plants are suitable as they rarely destroy them due to their small mouths.

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Diet and Feeding

 

The Blood Parrot Cichlid is an omnivore, but its deformed mouth requires easy-to-swallow food.

• Staple Diet: High-quality sinking pellets formulated specifically for Blood Parrot Cichlids (often mini- or small-sized) and rich in color enhancers (astaxanthin/carotenes). Sinking food is preferred as they struggle to feed from the surface.
• Supplementation: A varied diet is essential. Offer frozen or live foods (like Bloodworms and Brine Shrimp) regularly. Blanched vegetables (shelled peas, zucchini) should be offered for fiber to prevent swim bladder issues.
• Schedule: Feed small portions twice a day. Ensure they are successfully scooping up their food and are not out-competed by faster fish.

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Compatibility

 

• Caution: They are vulnerable to aggression and should never be kept with aggressive or fast, boisterous fish that will outcompete them for food or bully them. They are generally infertile, but females may lay eggs that are sometimes fertilized by other cichlid species in the tank.
• Good Tank Mates: Peaceful, medium-to-large fish that can handle their size but are not aggressive. Examples include Larger Tetras (Congo, Black Skirt), Larger Rasboras, Gouramis, Bichirs, and large Catfish (e.g., Synodontis, Plecos).