Red King Kong Parrot

 

fish description – Red King Kong Parrot Cichlid Care Guide ($Cichlasoma\ sp.$ ‘King Kong’ Hybrid)

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Cichlasoma\ sp.$ Hybrid (‘King Kong’ Strain)
Common Name	Red King Kong Parrot, King Kong Parrot Fish
Origin	Man-made hybrid (Central American Cichlids)
Adult Size	10–12 inches (25–30 cm)
Temperament	Peaceful for its size, but highly territorial; can be shy
Lifespan	10–15 years
Care Level	Intermediate to Advanced (due to size, aggressive digging, and bioload)

Export to Sheets

---

 

Appearance and Sexual Differences

 

• Short Description: An exceptionally large, heavy-bodied cichlid with a thick, rounded body. It is typically a vibrant solid red, deep orange, or purple-red. It retains the characteristic beak-like mouth that does not fully close, and often develops a subtle forehead hump.
• Coloration: Varies from brilliant red to deep orange; color is maximized by a carotenoid-rich diet. Sexing is very difficult; males are usually slightly larger, but most males are sterile.
• Fins: Large, proportional fins. The signature small, deformed mouth restricts its ability to fight and eat, making it vulnerable.
• Behavior: Surprisingly peaceful toward other species, but highly territorial and protective of caves/spawning sites. They are active diggers and can uproot plants and move light decor. Their massive size contributes to a very high bioload.

---

 

Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

 

• Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons (284 liters) is the minimum for a single adult. 125 gallons or larger is required for housing two or more adults.
• Schooling: Best kept singly or in a group of 3 or more to discourage one fish from dominating another.
• Temperature: Tropical range: $76^\circ$–$82^\circ\text{F}\ (24^\circ$–$28^\circ\mathrm{C})$ (stability is crucial).
• pH Level: Highly adaptable: 6.5 to 7.5. They require oversized, powerful filtration and regular, large water changes (30–50% weekly) to control the extremely high nitrate levels they produce. Water flow should be gentle.
• Aquascape: Requires a soft sand or fine gravel substrate for digging. Provide large caves, rocks, and driftwood to establish territories and hiding spots (ensure decor is anchored/stable). Hardy plants (Anubias, Java Fern) secured to decor are best; soft-leaved plants will be destroyed.

---

 

Diet and Feeding

 

The Red King Kong Parrot is an omnivore, but its unique mouth structure requires specialized, easy-to-swallow foods.

• Staple Diet: High-quality sinking pellets formulated specifically for Blood Parrot Cichlids (mini/small size) and rich in color enhancers (carotenes). Sinking food is preferred as they struggle to feed from the surface.
• Supplementation: Offer frozen or live foods (like Bloodworms, Brine Shrimp, and Krill) regularly. Blanched vegetables (shelled peas, spinach) should be offered for fiber.
• Schedule: Feed small portions twice daily. They are slow eaters and must be monitored to ensure they get their full meal without fast fish stealing their food.

---

 

Compatibility

 

• Caution: Vulnerable to aggression from faster, more efficient fish. Due to their mouth deformity, they cannot defend themselves well. Do not keep with aggressive cichlids or overly fast fish.
• Good Tank Mates: Peaceful, medium-to-large fish that are not aggressive. Examples include Larger Tetras, Rainbowfish, Gouramis (Pearl), Large Catfish (e.g., Synodontis, Plecos), and Arowanas (large adults).