Red and White Blood Parrot (Large)

Caring for a Red and White Blood Parrot Cichlid involves maintaining a stable, clean tank environment, proper diet, and understanding their unique behavior and physical traits. Here’s a complete care guide:

Red and White Blood Parrot Cichlid – Overview

• Type: Hybrid freshwater cichlid

• Size: 15–20 cm (6–8 inches)

• Lifespan: 10–15 years (with excellent care)

• Temperament: Semi-aggressive; social but territorial

• Color: Bright red and white pattern

Tank Setup

Tank Lid is recommended — they may jump when startled.

Water Parameters

️ Diet

• Type: Omnivorous

• Staple: High-quality cichlid pellets

• Supplements:

  • Frozen or live foods: bloodworms, brine shrimp

  • Vegetables: peas (deshelled), spinach, zucchini

• Feeding Schedule: 1–2 times per day

• Avoid: Feeder fish, fatty meats — can cause health issues

Tankmates

Best kept with:

• Other Blood Parrots

• Severums

• Firemouth Cichlids

• Silver Dollars

• Plecos (smaller species like Bristlenose)

Avoid:

• Aggressive cichlids (like Oscars or Jack Dempseys in small tanks)

• Fin-nippers (Tiger barbs, Serpae tetras)

• Tiny fish that may get bullied or eaten

Behavior & Enrichment

• Social and interactive with humans

• Can be shy; appreciate caves and hiding places

• Often have deformed mouths, so feeding must be easy to access

• May display playful or quirky behavior (like rearranging gravel)

Common Health Issues

Always quarantine new fish and check ammonia/nitrite levels regularly.

Unique Considerations

• Blood Parrots are man-made hybrids, often with deformities:

  • Small or beak-shaped mouths (can’t fully close)

  • Odd-shaped bodies or spinal curvature

• Some may have faded color over time—enhanced by a good diet

• Avoid hormone-enhanced foods or dyed fish (unethical and harmful)