Blood Parrot Cichlid
Amphilophus citrinellus x Paraneetroplus synspilus
Min Tank Size
208L
Adult Size
20.3 cm
Lifespan
10 years
About
Blood Parrots are a man-made hybrid, almost certainly produced by crossing Midas cichlids with Redhead cichlids, though the exact lineage has never been officially confirmed by breeders. Whatever went into making them, the result is a fish that looks like nothing else in the hobby: a round, almost balloon-shaped body, a vertical mouth that stays permanently open, and coloring that ranges from deep brick orange to vivid red. Some are sold dyed or tattooed, which is a genuinely harmful practice worth avoiding entirely when you're shopping. Stick to naturally colored fish and you'll get a hardier animal.
They do well in water between 25 and 29.5 degrees Celsius and prefer a pH in the 6.5 to 7.4 range. Hardness tolerance is decent, making them adaptable to a range of tap water conditions across most regions. Filtration needs to be robust because these fish eat heartily and produce significant waste. Weekly water changes matter.
Diet-wise, Blood Parrots will take most cichlid pellets, frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp, and occasional vegetable matter. The deformed mouth means they can struggle with very large pieces of food, so smaller pellets or broken-up chunks work better. They're not fussy eaters once settled in.
What really draws people to these fish is personality. They learn feeding schedules, recognize faces at the glass, and develop quirks that make each individual distinct. Some become bold showoffs, others stay shy for months before opening up. Browse community tank builds featuring Blood Parrots and you'll see just how differently keepers have set them up.
Water Parameters
Temperature
°CpH
GH
dGHKH
dKHSwimming Level
Flow Preference
Keeping multiple Blood Parrot Cichlid together
Blood Parrot Cichlid is strongly territorial. Multiples fight over space unless the tank is large enough for each to claim its own area. A single individual is the safer default.
Compatibility
Mid-sized fish that can hold their own without being aggressive enough to cause serious harm make the best tankmates. Larger tetras like Buenos Aires or Congo tetras work well. Giant danios, rainbow fish, and peaceful barbs like Denison's can coexist fine. Other cichlids are possible but need careful selection: angelfish sometimes work in large tanks, Severums can pair well, but aggressive cichlids like Convicts or Firemouths often cause problems. Avoid small fish entirely since Blood Parrots will absolutely eat neon tetras and similarly sized species. Shrimp and snails are not safe. Multiple Blood Parrots together can work in tanks 300 liters or larger with plenty of visual breaks.
Commonly kept with
Species this one is most often paired withCommonly tried but avoid
Often paired, but shouldn't beCare Notes
The most common beginner mistake is housing them in a 55-gallon tank long term and wondering why the fish seems stressed or the water quality keeps crashing. A single adult really needs at least 200 liters with strong filtration, and two fish push that to 300 or more. They're also sensitive to ammonia spikes during cycling, so a fully established tank before adding them is important. Heater stability matters too, sudden temperature swings trigger ich outbreaks more than in most cichlids. Feed quality pellets formulated for cichlids rather than goldfish food, which lacks the protein content they need to maintain color and health.
Behavior & Aggression
Blood Parrots are notably less dangerous than most cichlids of similar size because their deformed mouth gives them very little biting power. They can still chase, ram, and harass tankmates though, especially during breeding attempts or if they feel crowded. Spawning triggers are the most reliable aggression trigger: a female will lay infertile eggs and both fish will become territorial around that area. Aggression is worst in undersized tanks. Individual personality varies more than in most cichlids, some fish are genuinely mellow while others are consistently bullying. Rearranging decor during pairing can reset territorial behavior.
Things to Know
- Sterile hybrid, cannot reproduce naturally
- Avoid dyeing or tattooing practices when buying, choose natural orange fish
- Their deformed mouth limits bite force but they can still bully tankmates
- Some individuals are much more aggressive than average, personality varies widely
- Grows larger than most stores suggest, 55 gal minimum is tight for an adult
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