Red Blood Parrot Cichlid - Amphilophus Citrinellus x Vieja Melanura

Red Parrot Cichlid | A Bold and Characterful Freshwater Hybrid

The Red Parrot Cichlid (Amphilophus citrinellus x Vieja melanura) is one of the most recognisable, beloved, and personality-packed fish in the freshwater aquarium hobby. Originally developed in Taiwan in the 1980s, this man-made hybrid between the Midas Cichlid and the Redhead Cichlid has won over generations of fishkeepers with its round, compact body, distinctive beak-shaped mouth, and vivid orange-red colouration that lights up any aquarium it inhabits. Cheerful, interactive, and endlessly entertaining, the Red Parrot Cichlid is a fish that genuinely grows on you — and one that rewards attentive keepers with years of personality and engagement.

Don't let the cute appearance fool you — these fish have enormous personalities packed into their rounded bodies. Intelligent and curious, they quickly learn to recognise their owners, follow movement at the glass, rearrange décor to their liking, and enthusiastically beg for food at every opportunity. Few fish are as genuinely fun to keep on a day-to-day basis.

A Hybrid Worth Understanding

Red Parrot Cichlids are man-made hybrids and do not exist in the wild. Their unique beak-shaped mouth is a result of their hybrid anatomy — it gives them their distinctive parrot-like appearance but also means they cannot bite or chew as effectively as other cichlids. Males are typically infertile, meaning successful breeding in the home aquarium is uncommon. Their vivid red-orange colouration is partly diet-dependent and can fade over time without colour-enhancing foods — a diet rich in carotenoids will keep them looking their best.

Red Parrot Cichlid Care Guide

Care at a Glance

• Scientific name: Amphilophus citrinellus x Vieja melanura
• Also known as: Blood Parrot Cichlid, Bloody Parrot Cichlid, Red Parrot
• Adult size: up to 8 inches (20 cm)
• Minimum tank size: 55 gallons for a single fish — 90 gallons or more recommended for a group or community setup
• Temperature: 76–82°F (24–28°C)
• pH: 6.5–7.5
• Hardness: 4–18 dGH
• Lifespan: 10–15 years with good care

Red Parrot Cichlid Tank Setup

A spacious aquarium with plenty of open swimming space, sturdy décor, and multiple hiding spots suits these fish perfectly. Red Parrot Cichlids are enthusiastic diggers and will rearrange substrate and move décor around — avoid delicate plants and opt for hardy species such as Anubias or Java Fern attached securely to hardscape. Strong filtration is essential as these are heavy waste producers, and bi-weekly water changes of 20–30% are recommended to keep nitrates in check and maintain the vibrant red colouration these fish are known for.

Feeding Your Red Parrot Cichlid

Omnivores with a hearty appetite and a beak-shaped mouth that works best with foods they can easily manipulate. High quality cichlid pellets form an excellent staple, supplemented with frozen foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, and krill. Colour-enhancing foods rich in carotenoids — including spirulina, krill, and dedicated colour-enhancing cichlid pellets — are highly recommended to maintain and intensify their signature red-orange colouration. Feed once daily and resist overfeeding — these fish are notorious beggars and will always act hungry regardless of how recently they were fed!

Red Parrot Cichlid Tank Mates

• Other Red or Yellow Parrot Cichlids — can be kept successfully in groups
• Medium to large peaceful or semi-aggressive cichlids of similar size
• Silver Dollars and larger robust tetras
• Larger peaceful catfish such as plecos and hoplo catfish
• Avoid small fish that will be eaten or harassed
• Avoid highly aggressive cichlids that may bully them — their beak-shaped mouth limits their ability to defend themselves effectively against determined attackers