Breeding Blood Parrot Cichlid (Parrot Cichlasoma) In The Aquarium

Location

The origin of this freshwater species is ambiguous. Some people have theory that these fish was breed in the laboratory by crossing species of cichlids from South America. There are multicolour hybrids: Amphilophus labiatus (Red Devil), with Gold severum, Red Devil with Green severum and Red Devil with Cichlasoma synspilum). Some people have another theory that these fish crossed each other for years in nature and the fish which you can find on the market comes from import.

Body description

Body of the fish is laterally compressed and round. Colour of the basic variant is orange-red. There is also other multi-colours variants of this fish: blue, green, yellow, violet or pink. Colour of the fish can change with age. Light dots may appear too. The dorsal and anal fins are elongated. The caudal fin is rounded. This species has a lot of deformations. It has deformed spine – it causes distortion of the oral cavity of the mouth (mouth is open all the time, like the fish is smiling) and it causes narrowing esophagus (its muscles have adapted to shredding food). The fish has also deformation in the swim bladder area – the fish swims awkwardly and it totters from side to side. There is no sexual dimorphism.

Temperament and behaviour

This species is only aggressive and territorial during the spawning season. You should keep these fish with non-aggressive and slow-swimming species e.g.: angelfish or tetras. You may keep them also in a single species aquarium. These fish can not collect food from the water surface.

Aquarium decoration

This species prefers a spacious tank with soft substrate. All decorative elements should have smooth edges. You need an effective filtration system. A partial water exchange should be done regularly – the fish are sensitive to accumulation of nitrates and oxygen-poor water. A significant decrease of water temperature causes fish to loose their colours, apathy and susceptibility to disease.

Breeding

This is an oviparous species. Female can lay eggs but almost nothing hatch. Generally male doesn’t fertilize the eggs. Female abandons them and they spoil. The fish spawn in previously prepared nest – usually it is a hole in the substrate. Female protects the nest, male protects the territory.