CICHLID – PARROT BLOOD / RED Amphilophus citrinellus × Heros severus

The Blood Red Parrot Cichlid is a hybrid fish of man-made origin. Making its first appearance in Taiwan in the late 1980s, the Parrot cichlid for a long time was thought to be a result of a cross between a Midas or Red Devil Cichlid (Amphilophus citrinellus) and a Gold Severum (Heros severus). However, these fish have since been reclassified into different families, thus making successful reproduction between them unlikely. Now, it is thought that the Parrot cichlid originated from a pairing of a Midas cichlid and Redhead cichlid (Vieja synspila), but the mystery and debate to this day continues. Red parrot cichlids can vary from dark/blood red variants, orange, and yellow. They grow to an approximate size of 7 to 8″ and can live 10 – 15 years. Temperament of Red parrot cichlids varies considerably among individuals; some are docile and can be kept in community tanks with no issue, while others may exhibit more aggressive behavior. There are no diagnosable differences between male and female Red parrot cichlids. Males are sterile, but females may attempt to spawn with other cichlids in the aquarium.