The Blood Parrot Cichlid (family Cichlidae) is a freshwater fish in the cichlid family. It is also known as the Parrot Cichlid, due to its beak-like mouth.
The Blood Parrot Cichlid can be bright orange, red, yellow, or grey
It is a hybrid cichlid, which is a combination of breeding two different cichlid species. Its mouth is narrow and vertical, which is considered to be a person-made breeding deformity.
The Blood Parrot Cichlid grows up to 20 centimetres (8 inches).
It is native to rivers in Africa. It prefers sandy river beds.
It feeds on small fish.
The young are born with dark stripes. As they mature, they change colour from striped to solid orange within 120 days.
It lives, on average, for 10-15 years.
[Location of photographs: Aquarium, Almaty, Kazakhstan]
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM