The first time I saw a Blood Parrot Cichlid, I was astonished. This fish is so strikingly colored and patterned that it’s hard to believe it’s real. There’s good reason for the fish’s popularity. Blood Parrot Cichlid is hardy, personable fish that make great pets.
They are gorgeous freshwater fish first bred in Taiwan around 1986. They get their name from their bright red and orange coloration, which reminded early European settlers of the tropical birds they saw there. They are generally peaceful but can be territorial with other fish of their kind.
Let’s get to know these fascinating fish a little better.
Table of Contents
Species Summary
| Scientific name: | Amphilophus citrinellus |
| Common name: | Blood Parrot Cichlid |
| Physical description: | They are generally about 6 inches long, with a stocky body and a wide head |
| Habitat: | The fish was first bred in Taiwan around 1986. |
| Tank size: | Around 30 gallons |
| pH range: | 6.5 to 7.5 |
| Temperature range: | 68°F to80°F |
| Life span: | 10 to15 years in captivity |
| Compatibility: | These fish are generally peaceful but can be territorial with other fish of their kind. |
| Water hardness: | 6 to 18 dGH |
| Water Type: | Freshwater |
| Nature: | Peaceful |
| Care Level: | Easy |
| Diet: | Omnivorous |
If you’ve ever been interested in adding a Blood Parrot Cichlid to your aquarium, here are some things you need to know.
Blood Parrot CichlidSize & Growth Rate
Blood Parrot Cichlid typically reaches a size of 6 inches, though they can grow up to 8 inches in some cases. They grow moderately, so you won’t worry about them outgrowing your tank too quickly. In addition to being shorter, these fish are stockier and have broader heads than most other cichlids.
In rare instances, Blood Parrot Cichlids can be born with physical deformities. Some fish have been known to have a malformed mouth, making them difficult to eat. You may need veterinary care if your Blood Parrot Cichlid isn’t eating or has trouble swimming.
Blood Parrot Cichlid Lifespan
A typical lifespan for a Blood Parrot Cichlid in captivity is 10-15 years. However, there have been cases of Blood Parrot Cichlid living for up to 20 years. These fish are long-lived and make great pets.
However, as with any pet, there is always the potential for something to go wrong. If your Blood Parrot Cichlid dies prematurely, it’s good to have them cremated and keep the ashes in an urn or decorative container.
Some fish are modified surgically to have a more desirable shape or color.
Blood Parrot Cichlid Appearance
Blood Parrot Cichlids are named for their bright red and orange coloration, which reminded early European settlers of the tropical birds they saw there. They have a stocky body and a broad head and reach a length of around 6 inches.
This fish’s mouth is usually regular, but it can sometimes be malformed. Many aquarists compare their appearance to that of a cartoon character. This distinct mouth shape and bright colors make them one of the most popular Cichlids for aquariums.
They can tolerate a wide range of water conditions but prefer slightly acidic water with a temperature of around 68°F-80°F.
As a hybrid species, Blood Parrots are sterile and can not reproduce.
Blood Parrot CichlidBehavior & Temperament
Blood Parrot Cichlid is popular among cichlid enthusiasts because of its exciting personality and temperament. They are among the few Cichlid species that can be kept in community tanks with other fish.
They are a peaceful species and will not attack other fish. However, they will defend their territory and can be aggressive towards other Blood Parrot Cichlids. But as long as you have a big enough tank and plenty of places to hide, they can be kept with other fish.
However, they can be skittish and may not do well in brightly lit tanks. It’s best to keep them in a tank with moderate lighting.
We would consider the Blood Parrot Cichlid to be a beginner-friendly cichlid species. They are easy to care for and are not as aggressive as other cichlid species.
Blood Parrot Cichlid Breeding
Blood Parrot Cichlid is popular for those who want to breed cichlids. They are one of the easier Cichlid species to breed and can be bred in a community tank with other fish.
To breed Blood Parrot Cichlids, you will need to provide them with a tank that is at least 30 gallons in size and has a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. The tank should also have plenty of places for the fish to hide. You will also need to provide them with various fresh and frozen foods. Blood Parrot Cichlids will breed more readily if they are well-fed.
The best way to breed Blood Parrot Cichlids is to place a male and female in a tank together and wait for them to mate. The male will often build a nest out of gravel, and the female will lay her eggs on the nest. The male will then fertilize the eggs.
Once the eggs have been laid, you must remove the parents from the tank. The eggs will hatch in about 24 days, and the fry will be able to eat baby brine shrimp once they are hatched.
It is essential to keep a close eye on the eggs and fry, as other fish can eat them in the tank. You may need to remove the other fish from the tank or install a screen over the top of the tank to protect the eggs and fry.
Blood Parrot Cichlid Care Guide
Generally, Blood Parrot Cichlids are considered to be easy fish to care for. They are hardy and relatively peaceful, making them suitable for beginner aquarists. However, they can be territorial with other fish of their kind, so keeping them in a tank with other docile fish is best.
These fish can tolerate a wide range of water conditions but prefer moderately complex to the hard water with a pH range of 6.5-7.5. They should be kept in a tank with at least 30 gallons.
Blood Parrots are omnivorous and will eat most types of food. Do your research first if you’re interested in adding a Blood Parrot Cichlid to your aquarium. These fish are hardy and make good pets but require special care.
Knowing what to expect before you bring home your new fish can ensure that your blood Parrot Cichlid will have a long, healthy life in your aquarium.
Food & Diet Of Blood Parrot Cichlid
Blood Parrot Cichlid is omnivorous and will eat a variety of foods. They should be fed a high-protein diet that includes fresh and frozen foods. Some good food choices include:
- Live brine shrimp: This is popular among blood parrot cichlid enthusiasts.
- Frozen brine shrimp: This is a good choice for those who don’t want to deal with live food.
- Bloodworms: These are another popular choice among Cichlid enthusiasts.
- Mysis: This type of frozen shrimp is popular among marine fish enthusiasts.
- Flake food: This is a good option for providing a balanced diet for their fish.
It’s important to vary the types of food you feed your Blood Parrot Cichlids. This will help ensure that they get the nutrients to stay healthy.
A dry food formulated for cichlids is also a good option and can be used in addition to the other foods listed above. For a high-protein snack, you can also feed your Blood Parrots, live crickets, or mealworms every once in a while.
Diet Foods To Avoid
It’s essential to provide a balanced diet for your Blood Parrot Cichlid, but there are some foods that you should avoid feeding them.
These include:
- Cooked vegetables: These can cause bloating and constipation in fish.
- Earthworms: These can contain parasites that can harm your fish.
- Carp: These can contain bacteria that can cause disease in fish.
Feeding your Blood Parrot Cichlid a diet that includes a variety of fresh and frozen foods is the best way to ensure they stay healthy. It’s important to avoid feeding them cooked vegetables, earthworms, and carp, as these can harm their health.
Tank Size For Blood Parrot Cichlid
The minimum tank size for a Blood Parrot Cichlid is 30 gallons. They can tolerate a wide range of water conditions but prefer moderately complex to the hard water with a pH range of 6.5-7.5.
In addition to being shorter, these fish are also stockier and have a broader heads than most other cichlids.
Cleaning The Tank
Tank cleaning is an integral part of fish care. It’s necessary to remove waste and debris from the tank to keep the water clean and healthy for your fish.
There are a few things you can do to make tank cleaning easier:
- Use a gravel vacuum to suck up debris from the bottom of the tank.
- Clean the tank filter regularly.
- Remove any uneaten food from the tank.
If you keep up with these regular tasks, your fish will be healthier, and your tank will be easier to clean. Also, consider using a water filter to help keep the water clean.
In addition to regular tank cleaning, it’s also essential to clean the filter regularly. This will help keep the water healthy for your fish and prevent clogging of the filter.
Water Parameters
Usually, you don’t need to worry too much about the water parameters in your tank. However, Blood Parrot Cichlid requires slightly acidic water.
As long as you keep an eye on the pH and temperature of your tank, you shouldn’t have any problems keeping your blood parrot healthy.
- Water Temperature: Blood Parrot Cichlid prefers a water temperature of around 75° F. However, they can tolerate a wide range of temperatures from 68°F-80°F.
- Water Conditions: These fish can tolerate a wide range of water conditions but prefer moderately hard to hard water with a pH range of 6.5-7.5.
- Hardness: Blood Parrot Cichlid prefers water that is moderately hard to hard. The ideal range is 6 to 18 dGH.
- pH: The ideal pH range is 6.5-7.5.
- Ammonia: Blood Parrots are susceptible to high levels of ammonia. Ammonia levels should be kept below 0.5 mg/L for the health of these fish.
- Nitrite: Like ammonia, blood parrots are also susceptible to nitrate levels. Nitrate levels should be kept below 0.5 mg/L for the health of these fish.
It’s also essential to monitor your tank’s ammonia and nitrite levels. These fish are susceptible to high ammonia and nitrite levels, so keeping these levels low is essential.
What To Put In Their Tank
You can put various plants and decorations in your tank with Blood Parrot Cichlids. However, it’s important to avoid sharp objects that could hurt the fish.
Some good plants to put in your tank include:
- Anacharis: This plant is suitable for beginners because it’s easy to care for and grows quickly.
- Java fern: This plant does well in low light conditions and is resistant to algae.
- Cryptocoryne: This plant is popular with aquarium enthusiasts because it’s easy to grow and comes in various colors.
- Water wisteria: This plant is another good choice for beginners and grows quickly.
DECORATIONS
In addition to plants, you can also add decorations to your tank. Some good choices include:
- Rock caves: These provide a place for the fish to hide and are popular among cichlid enthusiasts.
- Fake plants: If you don’t want to deal with the upkeep of natural plants, you can use artificial plants instead.
- Ornaments: You can also use ornaments to decorate your tank. Be sure to choose ornaments that are safe for fish.
Blood Parrot Cichlids make a great addition to any aquarium and can provide years of enjoyment for fish enthusiasts. They will thrive in your tank with proper care and provide you with hours of entertainment. In addition to regular tank cleaning, it’s also essential to clean the filter regularly. This will help keep the water healthy for your fish and prevent clogging of the filter.
Common Potential Diseases
Unfortunately, Blood Parrot Cichlids are susceptible to several diseases.
Some common potential diseases include:
- Malachite green ich: This parasite can cause white spots to develop on the fish. It can be treated with medication.
- Ichthyophthirius multifiliis: Also known as ich, this parasite can cause white spots to develop on the fish. It can be treated with medication.
- Hexamita: This is a protozoan parasite that can cause an infection in the fish’s digestive system. It can be treated with medication.
- Fin rot: This bacterial infection can cause the fins to rot and fall off. It can be treated with medication.
- Ichthyobodo: This is a protozoan parasite that can cause an infection in the fish’s gills. It can be treated with medication.
The most common way to prevent these diseases is to use a quarantine tank when introducing new fish to your aquarium. This will help prevent the spread of disease.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your fish, you must take them to a vet for proper treatment. With good care, your blood parrot cichlids can live long and healthy life.
Treatment & Medications For Diseases
The best way to treat a disease is to use a specifically designed medication for that disease. Some common medications used to treat diseases in Blood Parrot Cichlids include:
- Malachite green: This medication is effective against several parasites, including Malachite green ich.
- Metronidazole: This medication is effective against several protozoan parasites, including Hexamita and Ichthyobodo.
- Nitrofurazone: This medication is effective against several bacteria, including Fin rot.
It’s important to consult with your vet before using any medications to treat your fish. They will be able to recommend the best course of treatment for your fish. With proper treatment, most diseases can be successfully treated.
Tankmates
The best tankmates for blood parrot cichlids are other peaceful fish species. Some good choices include:
- Angelfish: These fish are popular among Cichlid enthusiasts and make a good choice for a community tank.
- Barbs: These fish are also popular among Cichlid enthusiasts and make a good choice for a community tank.
- Gouramis: These fish are a good choice for a community tank and are usually peaceful towards other fish.
- Plecostomus: These fish make a good choice for a community tank as they are usually peaceful towards other fish.
Fish To Avoid:
- Tetras: Tetra is popular among fish enthusiasts, but they can be aggressive towards other fish, including Blood Parrot Cichlids.
- Mollies: These fish are popular in the aquarium hobby, but they can be aggressive and should not be kept with Blood Parrot Cichlids.
- Goldfish: Goldfish are not a good choice for a community tank as they can be aggressive and will eat the food intended for other fish.
They do very well in group settings and will playfully interact with one another. When kept in these groups, the males will often stake out a territory and display their colorful fins to rival males. Females are usually less aggressive and will live together peacefully.
Advantage Of Having Blood Parrot Cichlid In Your Tank
The most significant advantage of having Blood Parrot Cichlid in your tank is that they are a peaceful species and will not attack other fish. However, they will defend their territory and can be aggressive towards other Blood Parrot Cichlids. But as long as you have a big enough tank and plenty of places to hide, they should do well in a community tank.
Another advantage of having Blood Parrot Cichlids in your tank is that they are a popular choice for those who want to breed Cichlids. They are one of the easier Cichlid species to breed and can be bred in a community tank with other fish.
Lastly, the Blood Parrot Cichlid is a colorful fish and will add some interest to your tank. They come in various colors, including red, orange, yellow, green, and blue. This makes them a popular choice for those who want a colorful fish in their tank.
Disadvantage Of Having Blood Parrot Cichlid In Your Tank
The only disadvantage of having Blood Parrot Cichlid in your tank is that they can be aggressive towards other fish. But as long as you have a big enough tank and plenty of places to hide, they should do well in a community tank.
Conclusion
Overall, Blood Parrot Cichlids make a great addition to your tank and have several advantages over other fish.
So if you are looking for a peaceful, colorful fish to add to your tank, Blood Parrot Cichlids are an excellent choice. You can find them at most pet stores.
