Blood parrot cichlid care guide
Also called: Blood parrot, Parrot cichlid, Bloody parrot, Blood parrot fish, Red parrot cichlid
The blood parrot is a man-made cichlid hybrid with a round body and a small, beak-like mouth that can't fully close. It's calmer than most large cichlids but still grows to about 8 inches (20 cm), so one needs at least 55 gallons (208 L).
Blood parrot cichlids need a tank of at least 55 gallons (208 L), and water at 24–27°C (75–81°F) with a pH of 6.5–7.5. They grow to about 20 cm (7.9 in) and are semi-aggressive.
Plan a tank with blood parrot cichlidsSee all tank mates
Blood parrot cichlid quick facts
| Scientific name | Hybrid (likely Amphilophus citrinellus × Vieja melanurus) |
|---|---|
| Family | Cichlidae |
| Origin | Man-made hybrid first bred in Taiwan around 1986; not found in the wild |
| Adult size | 20 cm (7.9 in) |
| Minimum tank | 55 gallons (208 L), at least 120 cm (47 in) long |
| Temperature | 24–27°C (75–81°F) |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 5–15 dGH |
| Group size | Alone (only one male) |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive; males fight each other |
| Swims at | Middle |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Care level | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 10–15 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | No, eats shrimp |
| Safe with plants? | Mostly (nibbles soft plants) |
Tank setup
One fish needs at least a 55-gallon (208 L) tank about 4 ft (120 cm) long, and a group of three or more needs 75 gallons (284 L) or more. Add caves, clay pots and driftwood, since blood parrots like to claim a hideout. Use sand or smooth fine gravel, because they move the substrate around. Their rounded body makes them clumsy swimmers, so keep the current gentle.
How many blood parrot cichlids in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits blood parrot cichlids is a 55 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Blood parrot cichlids (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | Too small |
| 29 gallon | Too small |
| 40 gallon | Too small |
| 55 gallon | Up to 3 |
| 75 gallon | Up to 4 |
| 125 gallon | Up to 7 |
Numbers are bioload limits only. Males fight, so keep one male unless the tank is large and well planned.
What you need for blood parrot cichlids
Sized for a 55 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits blood parrot cichlids. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 55 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 55 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 459 lb (208 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- 2 adjustable heaters, 100 W each (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 78 °F (25.5 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). Two heaters keep the tank warm if one fails. How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Canister filter rated 330–550 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Heavily stocked or messy fish: 6–10 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 75 lb of aquarium gravel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Smooth gravel suits most community fish. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 48 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for blood parrot cichlids
- Cichlid pellets (opens Amazon in a new tab)Larger pellets for cichlids and other big fish.
- Caves and hides (opens Amazon in a new tab)Gives shy and territorial fish their own space.
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Water parameters
Keep it at 24–27°C (75–81°F), pH 6.5–7.5 and soft to moderately hard water. They eat a lot and make plenty of waste, so use strong filtration and change 25–30% of the water every week. Vacuum the substrate often, as dropped food gets buried.
Best tank mates for blood parrot cichlids
These popular species share blood parrot cichlids' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 29 good matches.
Betta fish
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Bristlenose pleco
12 cm (4.7 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Ramshorn snail
2 cm (0.8 in) · 21–27°C (70–81°F)
Malaysian trumpet snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 20–27°C (68–81°F)
Mystery snail
5 cm (2 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
Convict cichlid
12 cm (4.7 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Avoid keeping blood parrot cichlids with
- Cherry shrimp: Blood parrot cichlid eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
- Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Blood parrot cichlid 24–27°C (75–81°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
- Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Blood parrot cichlid 24–27°C (75–81°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
- Celestial pearl danio: Blood parrot cichlid can eat celestial pearl danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Chili rasbora: Blood parrot cichlid can eat chili rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Discus: They need different temperatures: Blood parrot cichlid 24–27°C (75–81°F), discus 28–30°C (82–86°F).
Feeding
An omnivore with a small mouth, so choose foods it can scoop up easily. Small floating or slow-sinking pellets work best, with frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp a few times a week. Color-enhancing pellets can deepen the red. Watch feeding time to make sure every fish gets its share.
Behavior
Usually peaceful toward fish it can't eat, but it may act as tank boss and chase others away from its cave. Its mouth is small, yet it can still swallow very small fish and will pick off dwarf shrimp. Good tankmates are calm, medium-sized fish: larger tetras, silver dollars, angelfish, plecos and mild cichlids. Blood parrots squabble with each other over caves, and males or a pair guarding eggs can turn on the rest, so give a group a cave each and plenty of room. Avoid aggressive cichlids, since its odd mouth makes it a poor fighter.
Breeding
Most males are infertile, so pairs often lay eggs that never hatch. The parents still clean a flat surface, guard the eggs and may turn more aggressive. Fry are rare and usually come from a fertile male or a cross with another cichlid, which most hobbyists discourage.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Avoid dyed, tattooed or tail-cut 'heart' parrots. These procedures stress the fish and can shorten its life.
- Check that every fish is eating. The odd mouth makes feeding harder, so thin fish may need smaller food.
- Give each fish its own cave. Blood parrots are calmer when they have a spot to claim.
- Tall decor and a few calm dither fish help cut down chasing between blood parrots.
- Don't keep them with Jack Dempseys, convicts or other aggressive cichlids.
Frequently asked questions
Are blood parrot cichlids natural?
No. They are a man-made hybrid first bred in Taiwan in the 1980s, most likely from Midas and redhead cichlids. They don't exist in the wild.
Can blood parrot cichlids breed?
Females often lay eggs, but most males are infertile, so the eggs usually don't hatch. Successful spawns are rare.
What fish can live with blood parrots?
Calm fish that are too big to swallow, such as larger tetras, silver dollars, angelfish, plecos and mild cichlids. Avoid tiny fish, dwarf shrimp and aggressive cichlids.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.