Is the Blood Red Parrot Fish a natural species?

No — Blood Red Parrots are a man-made hybrid with no wild origin, first developed in Taiwan in the 1980s, most likely from Midas and Redhead/Red Devil Cichlid parentage.

Why can't the Blood Red Parrot Fish close its mouth properly?

This is a genetic trait of the hybrid itself — their compact, rounded mouth shape doesn't fully close, which is why food size matters more with this species than most.

Are the brightly coloured purple or blue Parrot Fish different from this one?

Yes, and importantly so — those colours are the result of dye injected into the fish, a practice we don't support. The colouration shown here is entirely natural to this hybrid line.

Can I breed Blood Red Parrot Fish?

Generally not successfully — most males are infertile due to their hybrid genetics, so eggs typically don't develop even when pairs spawn.

Are Blood Red Parrot Fish good with other fish?

Reasonably, though they're territorial — their limited biting ability due to mouth shape makes them less likely to cause serious harm compared to many large cichlids, but small or delicate tank mates can still be bullied.

🐟 Blood Red Parrot Fish (Hybrid Cichlid)

Name: 🐟 Blood Red Parrot Fish (Hybrid Cichlid)
Brand: Fisheee

From ฿199.75

🐟 Blood Red Parrot Fish (Hybrid Cichlid)

Freshwater Hybrid Cichlid • Vivid Orange-Red Colouration • Distinctive Beak-Shaped Mouth • Intermediate Aquarium Fish

📋 The Blood Red Parrot Fish is a striking, rounded-bodied freshwater cichlid known for its vivid orange-to-red colouration, compact "smiling" beak-shaped mouth, and genuinely engaging personality that has made it one of the most recognisable — and most debated — hybrid fish in the aquarium trade.

Unlike the other fish on our site, Blood Red Parrots don't occur naturally in the wild. They're a man-made hybrid first developed in Taiwan in the mid-1980s, most commonly believed to result from crossing a Midas Cichlid (Amphilophus citrinellus) with a Redhead or Red Devil Cichlid. This hybrid origin gives them their distinctive rounded body and small, permanently open mouth — a trait that means they cannot bite or fully close their jaw, and that shapes several aspects of their long-term care.

Naturally curious and social, Blood Red Parrots are known for genuinely interacting with their keepers, often approaching the glass and recognising regular caretakers over time. We want to be upfront about one thing: please never purchase artificially dyed or "tattooed" Blood Parrots (sold in unnatural colours like purple, blue, green, or pink) — this involves injecting dye into the fish and is widely considered harmful and unnecessary; the natural orange-red colouration shown here is not the product of any dyeing process.

With a spacious, well-filtered aquarium and correctly sized food, they thrive as a Distinctive, Interactive Hybrid Cichlid Display Fish.

💡 Highlights

🧡 Vivid Natural Colouration: Bright orange-to-red, undyed and naturally occurring in this hybrid line

😊 Distinctive "Smiling" Mouth: Compact, rounded beak-shaped face unique to this hybrid

🧠 Genuinely Interactive: Known to recognise keepers and engage with activity outside the tank

📏 Substantial Adult Size: A true centerpiece fish requiring a dedicated, spacious setup

⚠️ Special Feeding Needs: Deformed mouth requires appropriately sized food — not standard pellets

🎯 Select a Size

Quantity

🧾 A Quick Look at the Blood Red Parrot Fish

📛 Common Name: Blood Red Parrot Fish (Blood Parrot Cichlid)

🔬 Scientific Name: Hybrid cichlid — no formal species name; commonly believed to be Amphilophus citrinellus × Vieja synspila or Amphilophus labiatus

👨‍👩‍👧 Family: Cichlidae (hybrid, not naturally occurring)

🌍 Origin: Man-made hybrid, first developed in Taiwan (~1986); no wild origin

📏 Max Size: 18–20 cm (≈ 7–8")

💧 pH Range: 6.5–7.5

🌡️ Temperature Range: 24–28°C (≈ 75–82°F)

🧠 Care Level: Intermediate

💖 Temperament: Peaceful to Semi-Aggressive (territorial, but limited biting ability due to mouth shape)

🌿 Plant Safe: ✅ Generally yes — typically leaves live plants alone, unlike many large cichlids

🏠 Min Tank Size: 210 L (≈ 55 gallons) for a single adult

📌 Tank Level: Mid to Lower

🧬 Stock Type: Captive-bred hybrid — does not exist as a wild or naturally occurring fish

⏳ Lifespan: 10–15 years