Yellow Heart Parrot

 

fish description – Yellow Heart Parrot Cichlid Care Guide ($Cichlasoma\ sp.$ Hybrid ‘Heart’)

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Cichlasoma\ sp.$ Hybrid (‘Heart’ Strain)
Common Name	Yellow Heart Parrot Cichlid, Heart-Shaped Parrot Fish
Origin	Man-made hybrid (Central American Cichlids)
Adult Size	8–10 inches (20–25 cm)
Temperament	Peaceful, but shy and highly vulnerable
Lifespan	10–15 years (often shortened by stress/deformity)
Care Level	Intermediate to Advanced (due to health risks and specialized feeding)

Export to Sheets

---

 

Appearance and Sexual Differences

 

• Short Description: A heavy, round-bodied cichlid with a beak-like mouth and a severely deformed or absent caudal fin, resulting in the heart shape. The body is typically a vibrant solid yellow or pale gold. Swimming ability is poor due to the caudal fin alteration.
• Coloration: Varies from bright yellow to pale gold. Color is maintained by carotenoid-rich foods. Sexing is very difficult; males are usually slightly larger than females, who will become noticeably rounder when gravid.
• Fins: The tail fin is artificially altered. The small, deformed mouth makes eating and defense extremely challenging.
• Behavior: Very peaceful but timid, and a slow, inefficient swimmer. They are high waste producers and are sensitive to poor water quality. They are often seen begging for food at the front of the tank.

---

 

Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

 

• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons (208 liters) is the minimum for one fish. Add 20 gallons for each additional Heart Parrot. A large tank is crucial due to their size and high waste production.
• Schooling: Best kept singly or in a small group of 3 or more.
• Temperature: Tropical range: $76^\circ$–$80^\circ\text{F}\ (24^\circ$–$27^\circ\mathrm{C})$. Stable, warm water is essential for immunity.
• pH Level: Highly adaptable: 6.5 to 7.8. They require heavy filtration and regular, large water changes (e.g., 50% weekly) to control high nitrates. Water flow should be gentle to aid their impaired swimming.
• Aquascape: Requires a fine sand or smooth gravel substrate. Provide large caves, driftwood, and clay pots for hiding. Avoid sharp objects completely. Maintain dim lighting or provide shaded areas.

---

 

Diet and Feeding

 

The Yellow Heart Parrot Cichlid is an omnivore, but its severe mouth and spine deformities require easy-to-swallow food.

• Staple Diet: High-quality sinking pellets formulated specifically for Blood Parrot Cichlids (small-sized) and rich in color enhancers. Sinking food is essential as they struggle to feed from the surface.
• Supplementation: Offer frozen or live foods (like Bloodworms and Brine Shrimp) regularly. Blanched vegetables (shelled peas, zucchini) should be offered for fiber to prevent common swim bladder issues.
• Schedule: Feed small portions twice a day. They are very slow eaters; watch closely to ensure they consume their food and are not out-competed.

---

 

Compatibility

 

• Caution: Extremely vulnerable to aggression and bullying. Due to their deformed mouth, they cannot fight or defend themselves. Never keep with aggressive or fast, boisterous fish. They are prone to Ich and bacterial infections due to stress and genetic weaknesses.
• Good Tank Mates: Peaceful, slow-moving, medium-to-large fish that are not aggressive. Examples include Larger Tetras (Congo, Black Skirt), Rainbowfish, Gouramis, and large Catfish (e.g., Synodontis, Plecos).