Breeding pair of Parrot Chiclids

Question
QUESTION: i have a fair amount of experience with aquariums and Chiclids ( oscars + angels) So i know Breeding behavior when i see it. recntly when visiting a Outpatient Clinic where I and My wife receive therapy I was admireing a large aquarium set up in the lobby which is filed with varius chiclids. Among them are a few pairs of Parrot Chilids . I was looking for a sole surviiong Fry from a previus Spawn when i noticed it had vacated the rock under which it hid , while a female parrot was fanning continually and the pair where chaseing any and all other visitors to the area. i also noticed the Males breeding tube extended and the females all but bursting. i told the recptionist that cares for the feeding that they where laying and she said we'd see if they survived.

Well I wasn't aware that sucessful breedings of parrot Chiclids is a bit rare but last week they had stopped fanningand the rock was toppled and when I looked under the remining crevasss i noted a small GRAY fry. They as I looked more I noticed a few more hiding under other rocks . they where about 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch and where gray in appearance . and at last count I only noted about 5-6 . I also noticed the other chiclids displaying bright colorations but no other spawning indications now or previusly. I suspect that the diet of live food might have added to their healty apperance.

But I didi notice they same pair of Parrots Bumping and swirling in the tank.

My questions are , what do new born Parrots look like( are they colored like their parents or do they devlop coloration with time?) Is it possible that the parrots where portecting the spawn of another pair of diferent chilids?  Or could the Parrot female 's eggs ahve been fertilized by a different male?

This tank is located In the St Tammany La. Pavillion Out patient Hospital and is tended for by a paid professional whom I don't know.

I am dieing to KNOW as I am sure the Clinic staff and care takers would be also.

Please write me at

ANSWER: Hi Charles,
Parrot fish to my knowledge are sterile.  It is impossible for them to have fry, although I am hearing stories lately that they do, but I would have to see it to believe it.  I have had many parrot fish, the female will drop eggs, they will act like any other cichlid, and defend their eggs.  
What could have happened, is that another cichlid, might have fertilized the eggs, but then wouldn't he be around to protect the eggs like almost all Cichlids do?   They could be looking after fry that belonged to another pair in the tank thinking it is their own, but this too, would be strange seeing as Cichlids do look after their young, and would most likely take the young away from the Parrot fish.   It takes lots of observation to know exactly what happened.  Like you, I can only guess.  As for the colour of the fry, I would have no idea, since I have never seen a spawn.
I'm sorry I couldn't help you more.  Keep watching...the answer is in the aquarium...Watch to see if another Cichlid is close to the spawn...it really boggles the mind, doesn't it?  I would love to see the outcome of this.  Hopefully the fry will survive, and they will tell the story.
Lynda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks you have confirmed some of my readings. However I have seen Online reports and pictures of parrots spawning. Only they didn't show any discernable FRY. I also read that there is some confusion as to the origin of the fish that caused the parrot Hybrid ( two different pairs of chicilids) . They also suggest that the Males are the sterile partner , much like Mules when donkeys and Horses are crossed. But even some Mules are sexually potent from what I've heard.

Which brings up the next obvious question. If Parrots are all Sterile and no one is sure from what two other spices they come just how do we have More parrots since sterility would prevent them from reproducing and no one is sure what to cross to get them? More over there are different varieties of Parrots so how do they breed True if all the former is true?

That is unless they do rarely breed and some variations cause TRUE breeding color changes. Or unless a male of another Chicilid is used to fertilize the Parrot eggs.

These tiny FRY do look more like Dempsy Types or Blue anhli ( sp?) all of which are in this communal tank along with some jewel , yellow Labs and pearl chicilids.

But I am at a loss to understand continued production of parrots with all the above givens. Please explain?

Answer
Hi Charles,
This fish first appeared in Taiwan about 25 years ago.  It is a cross between a Severum, and a Red Devil.  Today this continues, and it's a sin in my book.  Forcing fish into a situation where they will eventually spawn is cruel, and against their nature.  
They are now injecting Blood Parrots with hormones!!    With over 3000 cichlids to choose from, I think it is terrible to cross breed, and now injecting fish with hormones just turns my stomach over.  There is another variety which is called the Jelly Bean Cichlid.  It is a cross between a Convict, and a Blood Parrot.  The fish are dyed in many colours.  They do this by dipping the fish in stripping chemicals, and then in brightly coloured dyes.  Some are injected  a colour dye by the breeder.  This process shortens the life of these fish.  The fish have several deformities, including a beak shape mouth that doesn't close, and eventually it will die.  
Some Blood Parrots have deformed Swim Bladders, causing them to swim awkwardly.  They also have abnormal spines.
They are all coloured with dye. They are not naturally as red as we see them.  
The Glass fish, and the Blackskirt Tetra are also dyed, and this is horrible as well.  People should not buy these fish to discourage the breeders who do this to fish.
When I first saw these fish, I knew nothing about them, and bought them because they were so different and so red!!  Later, when I read more, and more about them, I felt nothing but pity for these poor fish.
I don't think they will ever be able to breed the Parrot Fish, no matter what they do, and will continue breeding them with other cichlids.
I am really disturbed by the breeders who breed this fish, and the methods they use.  I think that the pet stores should boycott them to stop this, but you know, where money is concerned, they don't care.
Hope this helps you understand a little more about this fish.
Lynda