Blood Parrot Cichlids, also known as Blood Parrot Fish or Red Parrot Cichlids, are among the most unique species in the world of aquarium fish. This hybrid fish, artificially created by breeders, stands out due to its distinct rounded body, small mouth, and vibrant colors ranging from bright orange to deep red. Although their appearance and origin have sparked debates, their friendly personality and relatively simple care requirements have made them a favorite among aquarists.
In this article, we will discuss Blood Parrot Cichlids, also referred to as Red Parrot Fish, including their care, feeding, and how hybrid specimens of this fish can be obtained.
History and origin of blood parrot cichlids
Blood Parrot Cichlids do not exist in nature; they are the result of genetic manipulation performed in the 1980s in Asia. It is believed that they originated from a cross between different cichlid species, such as the Midas Cichlid (Amphilophus citrinellus) and the Redhead Cichlid (Paraneetroplus synspilus, now classified as Vieja synspila). Another proposed origin is the hybridization of Amphilophus citrinellus and Vieja melanurus (Fisher et al., 2024).
Other common names for Blood Parrot Cichlids in Spanish include: “Cíclido Parrot Sangre,” “Cíclido Loro,” and “Pez Loro Rojo.” With proper care, Blood Parrot Cichlids can live between 8 and 10 years, or even longer under optimal conditions.
Physical characteristics of blood parrot cichlid fish
Blood Parrot Cichlids have several distinct physical traits due to their hybrid nature. Here are some of their most notable features:
Body Shape
They have a round, bulbous body, often described as “ball-shaped” or “heart-shaped.” This unusual shape is one of the reasons some aquarists oppose the breeding of this fish.
Head
Their head is beak-shaped with large eyes. The mouth forms an inverted triangle and cannot fully close, making it difficult for them to eat and compete with other fish. Some breeders have produced Blood Parrot Cichlids with mouths that can close.
Size
Blood Parrot Cichlids can grow between 15 and 24 cm in length, although some may reach up to 20 cm. Males are generally slightly larger than females. Their growth is slow, especially after reaching 10-12 cm.
Color
They are typically bright orange but can also be red, yellow, brown, or gray. Some breeders dye the fish to produce other colors, such as green, blue, or purple, which shortens their lifespan. Juveniles may have a brown or tan color with black spots, which usually fade as they mature.
Deformities
Due to their hybrid origin, Blood Parrot Cichlids often have anatomical deformities, such as a deformed nuchal hump, compressed vertebrae, and swim bladder issues that make swimming difficult. The irises of their eyes may be unusually large and often deformed.
Mouth and teeth
Their mouth is small with a narrow vertical opening. Their teeth are located in their throat, complicating feeding.
Care of blood parrot cichlids
Caring for Blood Parrot Cichlids requires attention to details like water quality, tank mates, and diet. Regular water changes, an efficient filtration system, and a well-decorated tank with hiding spots and open spaces are essential for their well-being.
Table 01. Water quality parameters for the care of blood parrot cichlids.
| Parameter | Range |
|---|---|
| Tank Size | 55 gallons for one, adding 20 gallons for each additional fish |
| Water Temperature | 76 – 86°F (24 – 30°C) |
| Water pH | 6.0 to 8.5 |
| Water Hardness | Soft water |
It is essential to have good filtration due to the large amount of waste these fish produce. Regular water changes and substrate siphoning are also recommended to minimize organic matter, and therefore nitrate production.
Diet and feeding: What do red parrot cichlids eat?
Feeding the red parrot cichlid requires special attention due to its small and deformed mouth. Below are the most important aspects of their diet:
Recommended foods
- Small pellets: Small-sized pellets should be used to facilitate ingestion. Sinking pellets are preferred over floating ones, as red parrot cichlids have difficulty taking food from the surface. Regarding nutritional composition, Sun et al. (2017) reported findings from a study on blood parrot feeding (Cichlasoma synspilum ♀ × C. citrinellum ♂), concluding that a diet containing 3 to 5 parts per thousand of corn protein and 1 to 3 parts per thousand of vitamin E leads to improvements in growth, body color, antioxidants, and liver function.
- Specific foods: There are foods specially designed for blood parrot cichlids, such as Hikari Blood Red Parrot+, which contain ingredients to enhance their red coloration.
- “Occasional treats”: Bloodworms and shrimp can be offered as treats.
- Live, frozen, or freeze-dried foods: Red parrot cichlids accept a variety of foods, including flakes, live foods, frozen, and freeze-dried foods.
- Vegetables: It is recommended to offer shelled peas once a week to add fiber to their diet and prevent swim bladder issues. On the other hand, Hu et al. (2016) reported that blood parrot cichlids (Vieja synspila♀× Amphilophus citrinellus♂) fed with diets supplemented with astaxanthin and alfalfa saponins showed a significant increase in carotenoid content in their scales, skin, and caudal fin compared to the control group that only received astaxanthin.
Feeding method
- Difficulty eating: Due to their small and deformed mouth, red parrot cichlids must carefully align their body with the food and swim forward to “pick it up.” This can make them lose the competition for food with faster fish with larger mouths.
- Sinking foods: Sinking foods are easier for them to eat than floating ones. If they have difficulty eating from the surface, sinking pellets are recommended.
- Avoid large foods: Large foods can be difficult to handle with their small mouth, so appropriately sized foods are recommended.
Foods to maintain color
Foods rich in Beta-carotene and canthaxanthin help maintain their vibrant red-orange colors. Yang et al. (2012) emphasized that supplementation with sodium taurocholate in the diet of blood parrot cichlids (Cichlasoma synspilum ♀ × Cichlasoma citrinellum ♂) promotes the absorption of astaxanthin.
In this regard, Li et al. (2017) suggests that a diet with 0.012% canthaxanthin is the optimal level for better skin coloration in red parrot cichlids (Amphilophus citrinellus × Paraneetroplus synspilus); while Li et al. (2018) recommends the inclusion of 115.0 g of canthaxanthin per kilogram of lipids to improve redness, brightness, and the specific growth rate of red parrot cichlids (Amphilophus citrinellus × Paraneetroplus synspilus).
Meanwhile, Micah et al. (2022) concluded that astaxanthin in the diet is effective in improving skin coloration in juvenile blood parrot cichlids (Vieja melanurus ♀ × Amphilophus citrinellus ♂), increasing the intensity of red and yellow, and that these changes are associated with the expression of specific genes involved in carotenoid and lipid metabolism.
Micah et al. (2024) concluded that astaxanthin significantly improved pigment cell concentration, chromatic parameters, villus height, and muscle thickness in red parrot cichlids (Vieja melanurus ♀ × Amphilophus citrinellus ♂); the study results also showed that astaxanthin increased erythrophore cell density in the skin, leading to increased redness, yellowness, chroma, and hue in the skin and muscle.
Compatibility of blood Parrot cichlids
Red parrot cichlids can be shy and reclusive, especially when young. It is important to provide them with hiding spots to help them adapt to their environment. They should not be kept with aggressive fish, as they are not well equipped to compete for food or territory. They can be kept with other peaceful or semi-aggressive cichlids of similar size. Some suitable aquarium companions include:
- Medium-sized tetras
- Danios
- Gouramis
- Angelfish
- Catfish
- Oscars
- Severum, Firemouth, and Acara cichlids
- Some varieties of Geophagus
- Clown loaches and tiger barbs
How do blood parrot fish reproduce?
The reproduction of the blood parrot cichlid is a particular issue due to its hybrid nature and the infertility of the males. Despite efforts, reproduction of this species has not been achieved.
The only way to obtain specimens of this species is by obtaining hybrids between: Vieja synspila♀ × Amphilophus citrinellus♂ or Vieja melanurus♀ × Amphilophus citrinellus♂.
- Male Midas cichlid (Amphilophus citrinellus): A cichlid known for its size, aggressiveness, and variety of colors.
- Female red head cichlid (Vieja synspila): Also known as Paraneetroplus synspilus, this species is characterized by its distinctive colors and patterns.
- Female palette cichlid (Vieja melanurus): A cichlid often confused with the red head cichlid (Vieja synspila).
The hybridization of these two species results in a fish with unique physical characteristics, often considered controversial. Additionally, the creation of this hybrid is considered unethical by some due to the difficulties these fish face in leading a normal life, despite their popularity among some hobbyists. The main concern is the numerous anatomical anomalies that compromise their quality of life. It is also argued that the high rate of deformities in fry that do not survive is another reason to avoid breeding these fish.
The most important aspects of their reproduction are detailed below:
- Male sterility: Most male blood parrot cichlids are sterile, meaning they cannot fertilize the eggs. This is a consequence of their hybridization.
- Female fertility: The females of the blood parrot fish, on the other hand, are generally fertile. This means they can produce viable eggs.
- Mating: Red parrot cichlids form pairs and begin attempting to reproduce around 2-3″ (5-7.5 cm). However, due to the male’s sterility, most of these attempts do not result in egg hatching.
- Spawning: Female blood parrot cichlids lay their eggs on hard surfaces, such as rocks, logs, or even clay pots. The eggs are adhesive and stick to the chosen surface.
- Parental care: Both the male and female care for the eggs after they are laid. They protect the eggs from potential predators and also keep them clean.
- Infertility of the eggs: Despite parental care, the eggs of red parrot cichlids are usually infertile. Unfertilized eggs turn white and quickly develop fungi. The parents often eat the unfertilized eggs to prevent the fungi from spreading to any fertilized eggs (if there are any).
- Hybridization with other species: Female blood parrot cichlids can crossbreed with other Central American cichlids or flowerhorns. When crossed with males of other cichlid species, the eggs may be viable and produce offspring, although these offspring rarely resemble or have the bright colors of blood parrot fish.
- Rare cases of successful reproduction: Although uncommon, there have been sporadic cases of successful reproduction in red parrot fish, usually when the females are crossed with non-hybrid cichlids. In these cases, the eggs hatch after 2-4 days, depending on the water temperature.
- Fry care: If the eggs hatch, it is crucial to perform daily 25% water changes to ensure the health of the fry. Initially, the fry are fed newly hatched brine shrimp, and then can be fed fine fry food as they grow.
- Hormones to increase fertility: Some fish farms have begun injecting hormones into male red parrot cichlids to increase their fertility. This may increase the chances of successful reproduction, although it is not a common practice in home care.
Common health problems
Blood parrot cichlids, due to their hybrid nature and physical deformities, are prone to certain health issues. These are the most common:
Stress spots
Red parrot cichlids often develop black spots on their body or fins. These spots are not a disease but a reaction to stress. They may appear when the fish are moved to a new aquarium, in response to shyness, bullying by other fish, during breeding, or due to illness. Generally, these spots disappear once the cause of the stress is removed.
Swim bladder problems
These issues manifest as abnormal swimming patterns. Blood parrot fish may have difficulty maintaining a normal position in the water. Some symptoms include erratic swimming, floating upside down, getting stuck at the surface without being able to sink, or remaining at the bottom without being able to rise. Despite these problems, affected fish usually continue eating normally.
Swim bladder problems can be caused by poor diet, and they can be prevented or treated with proper diet and salt baths. It is recommended to feed red parrot fish shelled peas once a week to prevent these issues. For severe cases, a salt bath of 1 tablespoon per gallon of water for 20-30 minutes, twice a day, can be used but only as a last resort.
Feeding difficulties
The small and deformed mouth of red parrot cichlids makes feeding difficult. Their mouths do not close fully, which prevents them from competing for food with more aggressive fish or those with larger mouths. This can lead to inadequate feeding and malnutrition. To facilitate feeding, it is recommended to use small sinking pellets.
Deformities
Blood parrot cichlids exhibit several anatomical deformities, such as a deformed nuchal hump, compressed vertebrae, and a mouth that does not close. These deformities can cause other long-term health problems, although they are not directly related to specific diseases.
Goiter (Thyroid hyperplasia)
Choi and Kim (2024) presented a clinical case suspected to be goiter (thyroid hyperplasia) in a blood parrot cichlid (Amphilophus citrinellus × Vieja melanurus) raised in an aquarium. According to the study, the fish showed a soft, reddish swelling on the ventral side of the left gill arches, along with irregular intermittent ventilation for a month. The researchers implemented an empirical treatment with iodide (0.03~0.015ppm) in the aquarium water, which resulted in a notable reduction in swelling after 14 days.
Bacterial infections
Like any fish, red parrot cichlids can be susceptible to bacterial infections if water conditions are not adequate or if they are stressed.
Parasites
They are susceptible to parasites such as Ich, which can be treated by raising the water temperature or with copper treatments.
On the other hand, Zhou et al. (2024) presented the first report of an outbreak of trypanosomiasis (Trypanosoma carassii danilewskyi) in red parrot cichlids (Vieja melanura♀ × Amphilophus citrinellus♂) farmed in the Nansha district, Guangzhou, in southern China.
Conclusion
Blood Parrot Cichlids are a captivating addition to any aquarium. While they require specific care, their vibrant appearance and calm personality make them ideal companions for aquarium enthusiasts. With the right knowledge, you can enjoy these fascinating fish for many years, creating a harmonious and visually striking environment in your home.
References
Choi, S. H., & Kim, J. H. (2024). A suspicious clinical case of goiter in aquarium-reared blood parrot cichlid (Amphilophus citrinellus × Vieja melanurus) with subsequent regression by Iodide administration. Journal of fish pathology, 37(1), 155-158.
Fisher, Kevin and Miller, Mackenzie E. and Delomas, Thomas A. and Oldfield, Ronald G. and Dabrowski, Konrad. 2024. Response to Salinity Challenge in Hybrid Blood Parrot Cichlids (Vieja Melanura × Amphilophus Citrinellus). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4932571 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4932571
Hu, Y., Liu, C., Wang, X., Liu, Y., Mou, X., Wei, M., & Song, H. (2016). Efficacy of alfalfa saponins on promoting pigmentation by astaxanthin in blood parrot fish (vieja synspila♀× amphilophus citrinellus♂). Israeli Journal of Aquaculture-Bamidgeh, 68.
Li, M., Rahman, M.M., Wu, B. et al. Effects of dietary canthaxanthin on growth and body colour of blood parrot cichlid Amphilophus citrinellus × Paraneetroplus synspilus . Aquacult Int 25, 705–713 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-016-0068-z
Li, M., Rahman, M. M., Lin, C., & Chiu, K. (2018). Effect of dietary lipid on growth, expression of canthaxanthin-based coloration, digestive enzymes activities and immunity in blood parrot cichlid Amphilophus citrinellus × Paraneetroplus synspilus. Aquaculture Nutrition, 24(1), 277-284. https://doi.org/10.1111/anu.12556
Micah, A. D., Wen, B., Wang, Q., Zhang, Y., Yusuf, A., Thierry, N. N. B., Tokpanou, O. S., Onimisi, M. M., Adeyemi, S. O., Gao, J., & Chen, Z. (2022). Effect of dietary astaxanthin on growth, body color, biochemical parameters and transcriptome profiling of juvenile blood parrotfish (Vieja melanurus ♀ × Amphilophus citrinellus ♂). Aquaculture Reports, 24, 101142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2022.101142
Micah, A.D., Wen, B., Yusuf, A. et al. Effects of dietary astaxanthin on chromatic, biochemical, and histological characteristics in juvenile blood parrotfish (Vieja melanurus ♀ × Amphilophus citrinellus ♂). Aquacult Int 32, 5977–5996 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-024-01451-1
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Yang Hui Yun, Y. H., Mu Xi Dong, M. X., Luo Du, L. D., Hu Yin Chang, H. Y., Song Hong Mei, S. H., Liu Chao, L. C., & Luo Jian Ren, L. J. (2012). Sodium taurocholate, a novel effective feed-additive for promoting absorption and pigmentation of astaxanthin in blood parrot (Cichlasoma synspilum♀× Cichlasoma citrinellum♂).
Zhou, J., Xu L., Bi, Y., Zhang, J., Hide, G., Lai, D. & Lun, Z. (2024). First outbreak of trypanosomiasis in farmed blood parrot cichlids (Vieja melanura♀ × Amphilophus citrinellus♂) from southern China. Aquaculture, 588, 740944. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2024.740944
