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my walmart has got in some parrot fish, i think a few arnt dyed, so i would like 2 get a pair (male + female) what size tank would be good for just them? how can i tell if they are male or female? how do i tell if they are dyed? i saw a very nice looking one, it's whole body was a light pink/orange color with some yellow in the fins i dont see any prick marks (i could see some in the others that were obviously injected with green paint) her/his color looked natural to me, but i dont want to get any painted fish for obvious reasons

Last edited by fishyhelper288 at 11-Apr-2005 09:21

Where They Come From
Parrot fish are man-made cross-bred fish, and a controversial one at that. Although they've been on the market for well over a decade, they were not seen widely in pet shops before the year 2000. Usually sold under the name of Blood or Bloody Parrots, they should not be confused with freshwater Parrot Cichlids (Hoplarchus Psittacus), or the saltwater Parrot Fish (Callyodon fasciatus). Many fish enthusiasts feel they should not be allowed on the market. Some go so far as to boycott shops that sell them. Controversy even exists over their parentage. The most likely pairings are the Midas Cichlid (Cichlasoma citrinellum) and the Redhead Cichlid (Cichlasoma synspilum), or a green or gold Severum (Heros severus or Cichlasoma severum) with the Red Devil (Cichlasoma erythraeum). I personally believe many of the "calico" Bloody Parrots seen on the market are from the latter pairing. It is also possible that Amphilophus labiatus, or even Archocentrus species are used in creating Bloody Parrots. Regardless of their heritage, one thing is certain - they do not exist in nature

While the debate rages over the ethics of creating this fish, of most concern to me is the effect their hybridization has on the fish itself. The Bloody Parrot clearly has numerous anatomical deformities. One of the first things an observer will notice is that their mouth is quite small and oddly shaped. This can affect their ability to eat. They also have spinal and swim bladder deformities, which affects their swimming abilities. I believe creating a fish that inherently has such deformities is not only unethical, but cruel as well.

Tankmates
Should you choose to purchase one, care should be taken when choosing tank mates. They should not be kept with aggressive fish, as they are not well equipped to compete for food or turf in the aquarium. Owners have kept them successfully in community tanks with a variety of peaceful fish. Mid sized tetras, danios, angelfish, and catfish are all good possible tank mates.

Habitat
Their habitat should be roomy and provide plenty of hiding places, so they can set up their own territory. Rocks, driftwood, and clay pots on their sides are good options. Like other cichlids they will dig in the gravel, so choose a substrate that is not too rough. Temperature should be maintained at about 80. Lower temperatures will result in the loss of color. The pH should be 6.8, and the water soft. Lighting should be subdued. Water changes should be performed twice a month.

Diet
Blood Parrots will eat a variety of foods including flake, live, frozen, and freeze dried foods. Sinking foods are easier for them to eat than floating foods. Most owners report bloodworms and live brine shrimp as a favorite treat. Foods high in b-carotene and canthaxanthin will help maintain their vibrant colors.

Breeding
Although Parrots have been known to mate and even lay eggs, generally they are infertile. There have been sporatic cases of successful spawnings, generally when they have been crossed with a non-hybrid fish. Like other cichlids, Blood Parrots will tend the eggs and resulting fry fastidiously. As with any eggs, those that are infertile will turn white and rapidly fungus. The parents will eat infertile eggs to prevent them from spreading fungus to the fertile eggs. Once the eggs hatch, daily water changes of 25% are critical to ensure the health of the fry. Fresh baby brine shrimp are the optimum food during the first couple of weeks. Often pet shops will carry frozen baby brine shrimp, which can also be used. As they fry grow, they can be weaned to fine fry food.


http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/cichlids1/a/bloodparrot.htm

I'll do graffiti,
If you sing to me in French.

i looked up pics of parrot cichlid, and blood parrot, and they look very much more like the parrot cichlid, they arnt bright red or calico, or anything like that

True 'parrot cichlid' (Hoplarchus psittacus).

Hybrid 'blood parrot' (also a cichlid).

Which of the above specimens do the fish in question most closely resemble? They are assuredly the latter.

Last edited by Veneer at 10-Apr-2005 17:39

the second but could a single fish live in a 10 gallon? it would be in a rock tank, with no live plants and few fake, r they fin nippers?

Nope, they get too big. At my LFS they have a tank with some full-grown parrots. They are really thick, and about as wide as a ten gallon. I wouldn't suggest less than a 40-55 gallon tank for them.

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They shade the glow of it with their mossy-misty costumes,
They wear masks of silk, porcelain, brass, and silver,
So as not to mislead with their own, ordinary faces.

I have a pair of these (gender unknown) I didn't know about them until after I got them.

THey're lovely & friendly fish actually anything they can suck into their mouths & are very inquisative. They hide behind a rock together when feeling shy everyone who sees them loves them.

i have a hybrid parrot in my 55 i really love him!