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Live fish will be delivered only to selected pincodes in Kolkata and nearby areas.

Here is a complete and detailed guide to the Red Parrot Fish, one of the most popular and colorful hybrid cichlids in the freshwater aquarium hobby:


🐟 Red Parrot Fish – Full Information Guide


Common Names:

  • Red Parrot Fish

  • Blood Parrot Cichlid

  • Red Blood Parrot

  • Red Parrot Cichlid

  • Hybrid Parrot Fish


🔬 Scientific Classification:

  • Scientific Name: Hybrid (no formal scientific name)

  • Parent Species (likely hybrid):

    • Amphilophus citrinellus (Midas Cichlid)

    • Paraneetroplus synspilus or Severum species

  • Family: Cichlidae

  • Origin: Taiwan, developed in the 1980s via selective breeding

  • Type: Freshwater hybrid cichlid

⚠️ This fish does not exist in the wild. It is a man-made hybrid bred for its bright color and unique shape.


📏 Appearance & Size:

Feature Description
Color Bright cherry red to deep red-orange body. Intensity varies with diet and genetics.
Size 6 – 8 inches (15 – 20 cm) in captivity
Body Shape Rounded, balloon-like body with a beak-shaped mouth
Fins Flowing dorsal, anal, and caudal fins; fan-like appearance
Eyes Typically large and bright, can be red or yellow
Mouth Function Characteristic small, fixed mouth – opens slightly but doesn’t close fully

🧠 Behavior and Temperament:

  • Peaceful to semi-aggressive – generally calm but may get territorial during feeding or breeding

  • Intelligent and social – interacts with owners, follows movement outside tank

  • Tank rearranger – may dig substrate or move decorations

  • Non-predatory, but may bully smaller fish if space is limited


🌡️ Aquarium Requirements:

Parameter Ideal Range
Tank Size 30 gallons for one, 55–75 gallons for a pair or community
Temperature 24°C – 28°C (75°F – 82°F)
pH Level 6.5 – 7.5
Water Hardness 6 – 20 dGH
Filtration Strong filter required (Red Parrots are messy eaters)
Substrate Fine gravel or sand
Décor Provide caves, driftwood, rocks for hiding and territory
Plants Use hardy or artificial plants – they may uproot live plants
Lighting Moderate lighting enhances their red coloration
Lid Recommended – may jump occasionally

🐠 Compatible Tank Mates:

Compatible Not Recommended
Other Blood Parrots Small fish (e.g., guppies, neon tetras)
Severums, Firemouths Aggressive cichlids (unless tank is large)
Angelfish, Rainbowfish, Giant Danios Fin-nipping fish like Tiger Barbs
Corydoras, Plecos, Loaches Crustaceans like shrimp or small snails

Best kept with similarly sized peaceful to semi-aggressive fish in a spacious tank.


🍽️ Diet:

Type Examples
Staple Food High-quality color-enhancing cichlid pellets
Live/Frozen Bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia
Vegetables Blanched peas, spinach, zucchini
Color Enhancers Krill, shrimp, carotenoid-rich foods
  • Feed 1–2 times per day

  • Feed small portions to avoid waste and bloating

  • Provide a varied diet to maintain bright red color and good health


🧬 Breeding:

Feature Description
Breeding Type Egg-laying substrate spawner
Pair Formation Can form strong monogamous bonds
Spawning Behavior Clean flat surface, guard territory, lip-locking
Egg Count 200 – 300 eggs per spawn
Hatching Time 2 – 3 days after laying
Fertility Many Red Parrots are infertile (males especially); females may lay eggs that remain unfertilized
Fry Rearing Rarely successful unless paired with compatible, fertile hybrid or wild cichlid

❤️ Health and Care:

Common Health Issues Prevention
Swim bladder problems Feed sinking food; offer peas to relieve bloating
Hole-in-the-head disease (HITH) Maintain clean water and provide a vitamin-rich diet
Bacterial infections Avoid overcrowding; quarantine new fish
Mouth deformities Inherent to hybrid – choose healthy specimens from ethical breeders
  • Perform weekly water changes (25–40%)

  • Use a good quality water conditioner

  • Maintain stable water parameters and avoid sudden changes


🕰️ Lifespan:

  • 8 – 12 years with proper care

  • Some may live longer in optimal conditions


🧾 Red Parrot Fish – Quick Reference Table:

Feature Description
Type Freshwater hybrid cichlid
Size 6 – 8 inches
Color Bright red / orange-red
Temperament Peaceful to semi-aggressive
Diet Omnivorous
Tank Size 30 – 75+ gallons
Breeding Moderate difficulty; males often infertile
Lifespan 8 – 12 years
Care Level Easy to moderate

🌟 Highlights of the Red Parrot Fish:

  • 🔴 Striking red coloration – ideal centerpiece fish

  • 🧠 Highly intelligent and interactive with owners

  • Hardy and adaptable – great for beginners and experienced hobbyists

  • 🎨 Often used in decorative or planted aquariums as a show fish

  • 🐠 Available in various shades: red, orange, yellow, and albino



We process orders on all weekdays (Monday to Saturday), excluding public holidays.

To avail free shipping, purchase amount should be Rs350/-(for Aquarium Accessories and Aquatic Plants) or more, less than the above amount shipping charges applicable Rs70/- only. For live fish delivery charges applicable at the time of checkout.

Orders are normally Shipped within 1-2 days and usually take 2-5 working days to be delivered based on your location. However, you will receive an approximate timeline when you place your order.

To ensure that your order reaches you quickly and in good condition, we only ship through reputed courier agencies.

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