The following
information is provided to make you aware of the chemical dyes used to create
the colors of this recently popular fish. The Blood Parrot originated from
hybrid breeding of cichlids in Taiwan in the
late 1980s. It is distinct from the freshwater Parrot Cichlids (Hoplarchus
Psittacus) and the saltwater Parrot Fish (Callyodon fasciatus). It has no
scientific name, since it is not a species that produces offspring.
The parentage of the Blood Parrot is a secret hidden away with the breeders
of Taiwan. The most common suggestions for the two parents are:
-
Midas Cichlid (Amphilophus citrinellum) and the Redhead Cichlid (Cichlasoma synspilum),
-
Severum (Heros severus) with the Red Devil (Amphilophus labiatus)
The Blood Parrot has some disturbing deformities. They have a beak,
which gives rise to their “parrot” name. They are unable to fully
close their mouth, but they can eat easily from the surface of the water.
The iris of their eyes is overly large. They have deformed spines, which
produces a unique shape. They also have an awkward swimming pattern.
The Red Blood Parrot is orange, while the Purple Blood Parrot is bright red
to purple. The Love Heart has no tail. There are also many
variations of color which are produced through dipping these fish in stripping
chemicals and then in brightly colored dyes. This stunts the growth and
decreases the life span of the fish. Colors last for 4 – 6 weeks.
See the Glass Fish
and the Blackskirt
Tetra for information on other dyed fish.
Blood Parrots should be provided lots of open space and also hiding places
and caves to establish as their territory. Dim lighting is best.
They love to dig in the substrate, so soft gravel should be chosen. Higher
temperatures can bring out their color. They will eat a variety of foods
including flake, live, frozen, freeze dried foods and cichlid pellets.
When Blood Parrots are kept together they will frequently fight during the day
and sleep in the same cave at night.
Breeding the Blood Parrot should be about as easy as breeding a mule.
It’s not going to happen between true blood parrots. That’s why they don’t
have a scientific name. However there is enough uncertainty among
variations that breeding of some types of Blood Parrot are said to occur. You
can apparently breed a Blood Parrot with a
Convict Cichlid though and produce Jelly Bean and Bubblegum Parrots. These
are also dyed bright colors.