- Common name
- Blood parrot cichlid
- Scientific name
- No valid scientific name — domestic hybrid cichlid
- Category
- Freshwater fish
- Group
- Hybrid cichlids
- Environment
- Large, stable warm-freshwater aquarium with gentle feeding access, smooth substrate and broad shelters
- Origin
- Domestic ornamental-fish hybrid; no natural range
- Care level
- Advanced welfare-focused care
- Adult size
- Commonly about 20–25 cm total length, with substantial individual variation
- Expected lifespan
- Unknown; longevity varies with hybrid form and functional health
- Minimum housing
- At least 300 L with a 120 cm or longer footprint for one or a compatible pair; larger for additional fish
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
- pH
- Near-neutral stable freshwater; exact universal range is not established
- Hardness / minerals
- Stable moderate mineral content; match established stock
- Salinity
- Freshwater, 0 ppt; routine salt addition is not recommended
- Lighting
- Moderate with shaded refuge
- Placement / zone
- Middle and lower water
- Filtration
- Use mature biological filtration sized for the complete adult blood parrot cichlid group, with guarded intakes and accessible mechanical capture. Keep flow moderate with high biological capacity, broad open turning space and gentle feeding access where the fish lives, and maintain undetectable ammonia and nitrite.
- Aeration
- Maintain reliable surface agitation and oxygen exchange at all times. Increase aeration during warm weather, medication, transport recovery, heavy feeding or any sign of rapid breathing.
- Maintenance
- Perform regular matched-water changes guided by nitrate and waste, remove uneaten food and trapped detritus, clean mechanical media without disrupting the biofilter, and record feeding, body condition, respiration and aggression.
Identity and search names
Domestic hybrid profile. Blood parrot cichlids have no valid binomial, and published crosses do not prove that every commercial line has the same parentage.
Search names: Blood red parrot cichlid, Parrot cichlid
Environment and housing
Use smooth substrate, broad caves, open turning room, strong biological filtration and no narrow gaps that trap a deep-bodied fish.
Social structure: Keep singly, as a proven compatible pair, or in a carefully observed spacious group
Feeding and nutrition
Feeding ecology: Omnivore; use nutritionally complete foods that the individual mouth can grasp and swallow
Feeding routine: Offer measured sinking or slowly sinking foods once or twice daily. Watch each fish eat and adjust food size and placement to mouth function.
Breeding, reproduction or spread
Pairs may lay and guard eggs, but fertility is inconsistent and hybrid parentage varies
Detailed care and app-ready planning
- Identity scope
- Domestic hybrid profile. Blood parrot cichlids have no valid binomial, and published crosses do not prove that every commercial line has the same parentage.
- Adult size and space
- Commonly about 20–25 cm total length, with substantial individual variation. At least 300 L with a 120 cm or longer footprint for one or a compatible pair; larger for additional fish. Adult dimensions, activity and social structure matter more than sale size.
- Social structure
- Keep singly, as a proven compatible pair, or in a carefully observed spacious group
- Swimming zone or placement
- Primary zone: Middle and lower water. Keep that zone usable and provide escape routes, feeding access and uninterrupted movement appropriate to the species.
- Feeding ecology
- Omnivore; use nutritionally complete foods that the individual mouth can grasp and swallow
- Feeding plan
- Offer measured sinking or slowly sinking foods once or twice daily. Watch each fish eat and adjust food size and placement to mouth function.
- Water stability
- Maintain 24–28 °C; pH: Near-neutral stable freshwater; exact universal range is not established; hardness/minerals: Stable moderate mineral content; match established stock. Stable temperature, oxygen and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing unsupported exact numbers.
- Habitat structure
- Use smooth substrate, broad caves, open turning room, strong biological filtration and no narrow gaps that trap a deep-bodied fish.
- Compatibility plan
- Choose calm robust tankmates that cannot bully, injure or outcompete the hybrid. Individual feeding and swimming ability decides compatibility.
- Breeding or reproduction plan
- Pairs may lay and guard eggs, but fertility is inconsistent and hybrid parentage varies. Parental care: Cichlid-style egg and fry guarding may occur when a pair spawns. Do not trigger reproduction without capacity for aggression, eggs, fry and rehoming.
- Quarantine
- Quarantine in a separate cycled aquarium with dedicated nets, containers and siphons. Match temperature and mineral chemistry gradually, confirm normal feeding, respiration, skin, fins and waste, and never pour transport water into the established aquarium.
- Welfare checks
- Assess mouth closure, breathing, swimming control, body symmetry, buoyancy, feeding success and ability to rest and turn without collision.
- Biosecurity and release
- Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Check the exact accepted identity in current BICON and applicable South Australian rules before import, sale or movement; import eligibility does not authorise release or wild collection.
- Main risk
- Do not purchase fish with severe mouth closure, gill, spinal, buoyancy or swimming impairment, and reject dyed or tattooed fish.
- Adult projected load
- Project biological load from the full adult blood parrot cichlid group, adult body mass, feeding pattern, activity and social requirement rather than juvenile sale size. A 20–25 cm deep-bodied hybrid creates a high biomass and solids load, while mouth or swimming impairment may require targeted feeding and lower competition.
- Filtration
- Use mature biological filtration sized for the complete adult blood parrot cichlid group, with guarded intakes and accessible mechanical capture. Keep flow moderate with high biological capacity, broad open turning space and gentle feeding access where the fish lives, and maintain undetectable ammonia and nitrite.
- Aeration
- Maintain reliable surface agitation and oxygen exchange at all times. Increase aeration during warm weather, medication, transport recovery, heavy feeding or any sign of rapid breathing.
- Maintenance
- Perform regular matched-water changes guided by nitrate and waste, remove uneaten food and trapped detritus, clean mechanical media without disrupting the biofilter, and record feeding, body condition, respiration and aggression.
- Overridable warnings
- Non-overridable: do not accept persistent ammonia or nitrite, oxygen distress, starvation, chronic aggression or inadequate adult space. Different equipment, stocking or maintenance methods may be used only when measured water quality and adult welfare remain equivalent or better. Do not purchase severely impaired, dyed or tattooed fish. Adult space, functional feeding, oxygen and immediate separation from bullying cannot be overridden.
Compatibility, welfare and risk
Compatibility: Choose calm robust tankmates that cannot bully, injure or outcompete the hybrid. Individual feeding and swimming ability decides compatibility.
Welfare: Assess mouth closure, breathing, swimming control, body symmetry, buoyancy, feeding success and ability to rest and turn without collision.
Main warning: Do not purchase fish with severe mouth closure, gill, spinal, buoyancy or swimming impairment, and reject dyed or tattooed fish.
Biosecurity and release
Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Check the exact accepted identity in current BICON and applicable South Australian rules before import, sale or movement; import eligibility does not authorise release or wild collection.