All fish / Cichlidae

Blood parrot cichlid

Hybrid (Amphilophus citrinellus x Paraneetroplus synspilus)

Also known as blood parrot, bloody parrot, parrot cichlid, red parrot, king kong parrot, heart parrot, love heart parrot, jellybean parrot, kirin parrot, blood red parrot, ปลาหมอนกแก้ว, ikan kakak tua

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This is a hybrid cichlid with a rounded body, a small beak-like mouth that cannot close fully, and usually bright red, orange or yellow colouring. People keep it because it is hardy, has plenty of personality and soon learns to recognise its owner. It is also tougher and calmer than most large Central American cichlids.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

18 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Singly, in pairs or in a group of 4 or more in a large tank

Diet

Omnivore: sinking cichlid pellets, colour-enhancing granules, bloodworm, brine shrimp and some vegetable matter

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Man-made hybrid, first bred in Taiwan around 1986; parent species from Central America (Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala)

Breeding

Pairs clean a flat stone, lay eggs on it and guard them closely, but most males are infertile, so the eggs seldom hatch. Any fry that do appear usually come from females that have crossed with a different fertile cichlid.

Good to know

Many fish are dyed, injected or tattooed with colour, and some have had their tails cut to make 'heart' shapes, so avoid buying fish like these. The odd mouth makes it hard for them to compete for food with fast feeders, and they can become territorial when spawning.