Blood-red Parrot Cichlid

Blood Red Parrot Cichlid

The Blood Red Parrot Cichlid is a striking hybrid cichlid known for its vibrant red-orange coloration, round body, prominent forehead, and beak-like mouth. Developed in Taiwan in the 1980s, this captivating fish combines traits from popular Central American cichlids, resulting in a unique and cheerful aquarium centerpiece.

Growing up to ~20 cm, Blood Reds thrive in spacious tanks with strong filtration and regular water changes. They prefer water between 24–28 °C (76–82 °F), pH 6.5–8.0, and soft to moderate hardness. Omnivorous by nature, they excel on a varied diet of sinking pellets (designed for their narrow mouth), frozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp), and occasional veggies like shelled peas.

Temperament-wise, Blood Reds are generally peaceful to semi-aggressive—they can be shy when young and may bully during spawning. Best kept with similarly sized, robust tankmates like large tetras, oscars, loaches, or larger peaceful cichlids. Avoid tiny fish that may be seen as food.