Above: In this picture a young premium quality Royal King Parrot Cichlid is swimming in one of our aquariums, when one of us snapped this picture.
Comments: These are awesome fish with great coloration and a very unusual mouth shape.
Origin: These fish are hybrids of Cichlids named Paraneetroplus synspilus and Amphilophus citrinellus, which are native to Central America.
We've heard the original hybrids occurred in Taiwan. But now these fish live in aquariums all over the world.
Maximum Size: In aquariums they can grow to be about 8" long.
Behaviors: Blood Parrots are usually not aggressive toward their own species, but can be semi-aggressive toward other fish.
Compatibility: These fish do best in a species only tank, but can do well with similar cichlid species that are not too aggressive.
Click here to read more about compatible groups of pet fish.
Temperature: Blood Parrots live best from about 75 to 80-degrees F. with 78 being perhaps ideal.
Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.
Feeding: Premium Fish Food Pellets is the best food for these Cichlids to eat.
It's best to feed them small pellets, when they're small, then gradually increase the size of the pellets, as the size of the fish increases.
Click here to learn more about and shop online for premium fish foods.
Water Conditions: These fish can adapt to most types of water, and so as usual it's best not to try to change the pH or hardness of the water.
Click here for a lot more information about aquarium water conditions.
Aquarium Size: Blood Parrots will eventually need to live in an aquarium with at least 80-gallons of water, and bigger is better.
Decor: Blood Parrots don't need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.
Click here for more about aquarium gravel.
Live plants are beautiful and improve the water quality, but this fish will usually dig up plants up, so most aquariums with Blood Parrots do not have live plants.
Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended. Most 80-gallon aquariums have room along the back for two Penguin 350B Filters, and this is sort of the minimal set up for these fish.
Better is a 100, 120, 150, or 200-gallon aquarium with as many Penguin 350B Filters as will fit across the back.
Click here to learn more about aquarium filters.
The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range. Click here to learn more about using Lava Rocks in aquariums.
Life Span: Blood Parrots can live for 10-years or more. Keep the water conditions excellent and feed them premium foods, and they'll most likely live longer.
Gender: It's nearly impossible to tell males from females just by looking at them, but when they mature, the females may become plumper, as they fill with eggs.
Breeding: Most Blood Parrot females produce eggs, but most males are infertile unless injected with hormones.
Females lay their eggs on a flat surface, and the male fertilizes them. Both parents then protect their eggs and later the fry.
Popularity: The Blood Parrots have been a very popular aquarium fish.
Names: This fish has no real scientific name, because they are hybrids of different species.
Variations: There are several variations.
Click here for a lot more information about keeping and caring for Blood Parrots, including a picture gallery.
We hope you've enjoyed reading these comments.
DrTom - 02/13/2015
All of our fish are Premium Quality Fish from the best suppliers in the world. Our fish have better health, more energy and brighter colors, as you can see in our pictures on this website.
We have 380-aquariums with lots-and-lots of popular aquarium fish plus lots-and-lots of rare fish!
We consider ourselves to be the link between the world's best sources of fish and the world's best customers. We love our work, and we are very responsible about caring for our fish and then shipping them carefully.
We also offer lots and lots of information about keeping and caring for pet fish, all from the knowledge of the Bailey Brothers, who have a combined total of 100+ years of experience as breeders, wholesalers, and retailers of pet fish!
Our fish and our customers are treated with the best of care, and we work energetically everyday to make sure every customer enjoys their new fishy friends.
When you purchase pet fish from us, you know you're receiving premium quality fish and premium quality service.
"Received my fish last night and was so pleased! They all arrived alive and appeared to be healthy.
"Once in the tank, they became very active and are now thriving in their new home.
"Beautiful fish, I asked for color and aquariumfish delivered. Processing and shipping was extremely quick."
Nevin and DrTom, the Bailey Brothers
This website is owned and operated by the Bailey Brothers, DrTom and Nevin, who've been together in the fish business for more than 50-years.
The Product Manager has been with the company for more than 35-years.
So we feel very confident that this is the fishiest crew anywhere.