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Hey everyone,
Well i recall reading on here a long time ago about blood cichlids and eggs but i don't remember it. Today i went to my tank and i found my blood parrot sitting in a burried hole of gravel. Upon further speculation, i noticed very tiny white balls (almost look like small pebbles of hail). There are about 40 of them in this whole that my blood parrot dug for himself; are these eggs? What do i do? Thanks!

Blood parrot cichlids are hybrids, and they are basically sterile. I have heard of instances where they actually do breed...I wonder if this is true...Anyway, since that is the only blood parrot in the tank, they are unfertilized anyway. They will be eaten by others if not removed.

[span class="edited"][Edited by solublefish 2004-07-19 18:40][/span]

It's actually not the only parrot in there; there are three of them and have been for about two months now. My list has just not been updated for a while. The tank has 3 parrots, 1 electric yellow, 4 rosy barbs, 3 platties, and 1 pleco.

there is a slight chance the eggs could be fertilized and hatched, but I wouldn't hold my breath. I'd say there's about a 5% chance or less that your regular blood parrot males are fertile. There are lots of instances of female blood parrots laying eggs, but the males usually can't fertilize them. the best way to breed them is to breed a female with a male midas or red devil, but pairing them up could be very tricky.

Jellybean parrots have a higher fertility rate because I believe they are blood parrots that have been crossed with cons specifically for the purpose of a higher fertility rate.

Jason

If the eggs are white they're not fertile-fungus. Light brown eggs are fertile. About 98%(give or take) male BP's are sterile. Give it a few days and the female should eat the eggs.

I'm afraid all what's been said before is very true. I've got two pairs of parrots that are constantly 'breeding'. The females lay eggs in the respective caves with great regularity.... both protect them figurously... then they both eat them after they become covered in mould. Unfortunately, the males are radiated before they are shipped from the farms in Asian and I've not experienced anybody who has actually raised young. My LFS has breeding pairs of red devils but they won't consider trying to breed my females with a male RD. Ethics are a big part with parrots.

I actually know a lady that has a fertile female and male! Talk about luck!!!! I'd love to have those two fish. Also, the rumors are true, they will breed with cichlids other than parrots. I have seen many many fry from these two. She takes the young to the LFS where she has made a deal with them to sell them there. Amazing, why couldn't I have been so lucky! I have 6 Parrot fish and mine have never even laid eggs or dug a "nest". I know, it's a possibility that I have all males. If that lady EVER sells those fish they WILL be mine! lol

Leah

i have about 6-8 parrots in my tank for along time and they haven't shown any sign of breeding. congrats even though they are sterile.