Cichlid babies

Question
My blood parrot cichlid female recently laid eggs which apparently has been fertilized by a texas cichlid that i had added to the tank.  Now i have approx 30 fry that are thriving.  I have separated about 1/2 of them into  a ten gallon tank  and the others are w/ mom.  I have given the Texas cichlid to my daughter as not interested in raising more babies. I can't tell if they will look like the blood parrot, the texas or combination of the two?  Do you know what is typical?  Also, do you know how large they should be before I can separate them to either pet store or other homes?  Currently they are maybe 1/2 " or less but are able to eat flake food.

Answer
Hi Diane,
 That is a tricky situation.  There is no "typical" because mating between those two fishes creates hybrids that really aren't anything.  I really doubt if a pet store is going to want them.  If you do give them to other people, please be sure to let them know exactly what they are, namely hybrids between blood parrots (which are themselves a manmade hybrid) and a texas cichlid. It is unfair to someone to think that they are getting a texas cichlid, when they are in fact not.

 As for what size, that is up to you.  If the kids are eating flake food, they can survive on their own.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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