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What does everyone think about Parrot (blood parrot) fish? I am talking about the fish that are made from crossing Red Devils and some other fish. My LFS has them and they sell for $25.00 a piece. I wouldn't mind putting 2 in my 55 gallon aquarium but if people think they are bad I don't want to support something that is going to eventually hurt the fish. Any opinions on these fish would be greatly appreciated, Thanks!!!!!!

hi, i had some few years back, pretty cool fish with personality. mine were anyways also maybe coz i had a pair..they wouldnt stop laying eggs but none of the eggs hatched lol..duno if its coz since theyr a hybrid theyr infirtile or maybe my water paras were wrong.

cool fish anyhow

the eggs didn't hatch because 99% of the males are infertile.

I am not sure I approve of these hybrids, or hybridization in general. I think special gene continuity for the parent species is important, and pollution of the gene pool of the parent species is an ever present threat, although that threat is lessened by the fact blood parrots are mostly infertile, as has been mentioned. That's not the case however with some livebearer species that have been hybridized.

The LFS is trying to swindle you; Parrots are much cheaper around here. IMO, there are better cichlids to get anyway; Parrot Cichlids don't even look very good.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

I think they're kind of cute in a yuch! sort of way.

I always stop to visit the ones at my lfs because they always come to the front of the tank to visit me.

ive never had one, but its tempting. the ones at my lfs has a tank with a bunch in it, and they really have tons of personality! its neat to see the whole 150 tank of them come up to say "hi" when you walk past the tank and follow you around.ive came close more than a few time to getting one, but a 35.00 each, i can resist the temptation!

retarded fish literaly there mouth xan't close all the way and alot of them are injected with dye.

They have a tiny mouth that they can't close, they are usually infertile, sometimes injected with dye, and are practically born with swim bladder disease.

i think their " shape" is interesting, i say shape cuz i don't want people to think i support the injecting a fish with different colors. my lfs sells them for 9 bucks, an d they r big ones too, however i see the green and blue ones sell for 15-20 (20 at the most) , i wouldn't pay 25 for one, they r not THAT cool. if u really like them i say look around for a better deal. and the more natural color, like yellowish or orange, the longer u will have them.i hear that blue and green parrot fish don't live longer than 6-9 months. even TOL lfs can't keep them alive longer than 8 months, but i hear yellow and orange ones do great

I've seen them sold for as much as $40.00 around here. But that's canadian dollars so I guess that works out to about $5 US.

I've seen young ones that aren't brightly coloured at all, they were sort of a green/brown mix. Will they stay this way, or does their colour change as they mature?

I've seen young ones that aren't brightly coloured at all, they were sort of a green/brown mix. Will they stay this way, or does their colour change as they mature?

These are the ones that have not been dyed and will most likely be the hardiest. They will eventually turn the same bright orange color of a Midas/Red Devil but it may take them a while. I'd guess that when they get about 3" is when their color will start coming in nicely.

Jason

Sorry to bump this one back, but I just returned and found it. I have two parrots, in two sperate tanks (for the time being), and I think they're great.

Yes, their mouth is interesting, but I don't think it makes them retarded...

As for a pair in a 55, might be a tight squeeze since they do get 10" eventually (takes a while though). I'd go with just one if I were you....

And for anyone that would like to discuss the issues regarding hybrid fish, feel free to email or message me through any of the links in my profile

PM/email/msg me if you have any questions/comments regarding me or my knowledge or if you want me to read a thread.

I must admit I'm a bit of a parrot admirer. My fondness doesn't purely come from the shape or the colour but more from the personality that they show. I know 'true cichlids' have personality too but I have to say that I don't think I've seen Oscars have the same amount as parrots.

I know its the whole 'playing with nature' argument again but then if we are to look at the morality of hybrids.... should we not look at the morality of keeping fish in aquaria full stop? I know that might sound really 'far right' but as much as I love keeping fish, its still a valid argument to not keep them in 'unnatural' conditions just as much as to not produce 'unnatural' fish.

i currently have about 9 parrots and i love them. 25 ea. i get mines at 6. don't they inject the fish with color to make them green,blue,yellow,purle,and dark red?

Their natural color is a brilliant orange. They are commonly dyed (a HORRIBLE process) through injection to make the other found colors of green, blue, purple, yellow, pink, and possibly others I haven't named here. This dye eventually wears off and they return to their natural orange color. Unfortunately, the process reduces their lifespan by approximately 20%, causes their maximum size to be diminished by approximately 20%, and can actually kill them. Also, when their color begins to revert back to the natural orange, they have a tendency to develop black spots in areas of their bodies. These black spots can/will occur in naturally colored Parrotfish also, and they are commonly considered "stress spots". These "stress spots" are more prevalent in those that are recovering from dye as the process of discharging the poisonous dye from their bodies is very stressful on the fish. This ejection of the dye seems to occur around 6 months-1 year after the initial injection, or, if they were dyed while new juveniles, when they are approximately 3-5" in length...

PM/email/msg me if you have any questions/comments regarding me or my knowledge or if you want me to read a thread.