Blood Parrot un-moulted 5cm

The Blood Parrot Cichlid – Unmottled is a distinctive hybrid freshwater cichlid known for its rounded body shape, characteristic mouth and vibrant colouration. Unmottled individuals are selected for their cleaner, more uniform appearance with little to no dark mottling across the body.

Blood Parrots are popular feature fish due to their unusual appearance, interactive personalities and ability to recognise and respond to their keeper. With appropriate care, they can become confident aquarium inhabitants and make an impressive centrepiece in a larger freshwater display.

• Common Name: Blood Parrot Cichlid
• Type: Hybrid freshwater cichlid
• Variety: Unmottled
• Adult Size: Approximately 15–20cm
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive
• Care Level: Moderate
• Minimum Tank Size: Approximately 200 litres+ recommended
• Temperature: Approximately 24–28°C
• pH: Approximately 6.5–7.5
• Diet: Omnivorous
• Aquarium Level: Middle to lower levels
• Social Behaviour: Can be territorial, particularly around established areas
• Lifespan: Approximately 10+ years with appropriate care

Feeding

Blood Parrot Cichlids benefit from a varied, high-quality diet.

Suitable foods include:

• Quality cichlid pellets
• Colour-enhancing cichlid foods
• Sinking or slow-sinking pellets
• Frozen brine shrimp
• Mysis shrimp
• Suitable frozen foods
• Occasional vegetable-based foods

Their distinctive mouth shape can make some foods more difficult to eat, so appropriately sized pellets or foods that are easy to pick up are recommended.

Aquarium Care

Blood Parrots require a spacious, well-filtered aquarium with good water quality.

Provide:

• Strong biological and mechanical filtration
• Regular partial water changes
• Plenty of swimming space
• Caves and sheltered areas
• Driftwood and suitable hardscape
• Smooth decorations without sharp edges
• Stable water parameters

These fish can rearrange substrate and decorations, so ensure rocks and hardscape are positioned securely.

Tank Mates

Blood Parrot Cichlids are generally considered semi-aggressive and should be housed with appropriately sized tank mates.

Potential tank mates may include:

• Other compatible Blood Parrots
• Larger peaceful to semi-aggressive cichlids
• Suitable larger catfish
• Larger peaceful community species that cannot easily be swallowed

Avoid very small fish, highly aggressive cichlids and species likely to continually harass or outcompete the Blood Parrot.

Individual temperament varies, so always monitor interactions when introducing new fish.

Colour & Appearance

Unmottled Blood Parrots are selected for a cleaner, more consistent body colour with reduced dark spotting or mottling.

Colour may range through shades of:

• Orange
• Red-orange
• Deep orange-red
• Lighter peach or orange tones

Colour intensity and appearance may change as the fish grows and can be influenced by genetics, age, diet, stress, water quality and aquarium conditions.

Important Information

Blood Parrot Cichlids are hybrid fish and their distinctive body and mouth shape are characteristics associated with their breeding.

Because individual fish can differ considerably in body shape and mouth function, ensure each fish is able to feed effectively and is not being outcompeted by faster tank mates.

Fins 'N' Feathers does not recommend artificially dyed, injected or tattooed fish.

Shipping

• Australia-wide shipping available where permitted
• Fish are carefully packed for safe transport
• Local pickup available by appointment from Fins 'N' Feathers
• Shipping availability may depend on destination, weather conditions, fish size and applicable biosecurity restrictions

Live Arrival

Please inspect livestock immediately upon arrival. If there is an issue with your fish, contact Fins 'N' Feathers as soon as possible and within our applicable live-arrival period, providing clear photos of the fish in the unopened transport bag where required.

Live fish cannot be returned for change of mind.

Blood Parrot Cichlids are live animals and individual variation should be expected. Size, body shape, finnage, colour intensity and the amount of natural mottling may vary between individual fish and may change as they mature.