Blood Red Parrot Cichlid

This odd fish, the blood red parrot cichlid, or simply red parrot, never existed in the wild and it never could. It does exist well in an aquarium though, and with its round body and big eyes it makes for a comical and adorable pet. It's the odd head that resembles a parrot if you view the fish just right that gives the parrot cichlid its namesake. This fish should not be confused with the rare "true" parrot cichlid of Brazil.

Parrot cichlids are hybrids. In the case of the blood red parrot, a breeder managed to cross a severum with a red devil cichlid. Who knows what else may come from those fish tanks. Spooky.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Give them caves, rocks or driftwood, a smooth bottom and good filtration.

Feeding: Feed a quality floating cichlid pellet once or twice a day. They also enjoy frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Tankmates: Parrot cichlids are usually peaceful for cichlids. Keep them with other fish of similar size, such as other parrots, silver dollars, larger tetras, plecos and peaceful cichlids.

Good to know: Blood parrots have a small, beak-like mouth, so floating pellets that soften a little are easiest for them to eat.