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This beautiful and interesting fish

The Red Parrot Cichlid, also called the Blood Parrot, is not to be mistaken as the Parrot Cichlid(Hoplarchus Psittacus), which is greenish colored and not very attractive or popular. The Red Parrot is a man-made fish. This means that it does not, and could not, occur naturally. The parentage is not known for sure. Reports range from:

Red Devil(cichlasoma erythraeum) & Gold Severum (cichlasoma severum) Red Devil & Green Severum Red Devil & Quetzel (cichlasoma synspilum)

Parrot Cichlid (Hoplarchus Psittacus)

A true blood parrot will also have larger than normal, bright yellowish-green eyes. Many have an oddly shaped or overly large iris. Some have a oval iris while others have a round iris. Some have a streak leading from the iris to the outer edge of the eye. Their eyes are definitely one of the traits that gives blood parrots such a great personality.

Behavior

Blood parrots seem to be somewhat shy upon first introducing them to the tank. Hiding when any activity is present outside the tank. After some time though, they will overcome this shyness. Some report this to take less than a week, while others say it may take up to a couple of months. So be patient with your new fish, they will eventually come out. And when they do, you will see their great personalities they are known for. They will come to the glass every time you pass the tank and beg for food .

There is also some behavior one must aware of before attempting to keep a blood parrot . They love to dig, and can be somewhat intolerable towards other fish at times, especially if two have paired up and are defending their nest. Many people say their parrot's are very docile, rarely showing aggression towards tank mates. An occasional lip fight will periodically occur over territories. Basically parrot's behavior seems to vary from fish to fish, some are docile while others have quite a nasty disposition. When single specimens are kept in a community aquarium, it will show very little aggression, in a species tank (only blood parrots ) you will find the exact opposite to be true.

Types of blood parrot

Most commonly found in the trade is the Red Blood Parrot. Despite the name, these fish are generally a gold-orange color with a small amount of pink found on the throat and behind the head of the males. They can obtain sizes up to 10 inches. Females are usually smaller in size and lack the pink coloration.

Red Blood Parrot

The second most popular type seems to be the Purple Blood Parrot, like the latter, it's name is also deceiving. This fish is a bright red color with some parts of the coloration so deep and brilliant it appears to be a purple, hence the name Purple Parrot.

Purple Blood Parrot

There is also a variety of Parrot Cichlid that is quite odd. This type is tailless. It's called the "Love Heart" parrot due to its heart-like shape. It's available in both the red and the purple variety.

Love Heart Blood Parrot

Last is the jellybean parrot they come in various colors, blue, pink,yellow , purple etc .Their life span is about 2 years and grow to about 4 inches. Now from what I learned these fish are injected with a dye a very cruel and painful process of removing the slim coat and injecting them with dye I have also heard that they are dipped into vats of colored dye. It seems that the dye starts to come off the fish within a few months revealing a lightish pink fish. The reduced life spans seems to be related to the process of dyeing. I do not and hope others alike will not stand for this mistreatment of fish he looks perfectly fine in his natural color. But if you must have them , because they are cute , ask your pet store to order dyeless jellybeans for you , and he'll live much longer , and live a healthier , happier life , and who wouldn't want these happy looking fish , to actually be happy . The industry will change if we demand it to .

Blue JellyBean Cichlid

Also , I have heard recently that there are dyed blue oscars available for purchase , yet again man can't be satisfied with what colors a fish has been given . Don't buy the dyed oscars , it's not worth the complications ; is it.