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Parrot cichlids: The cross of two cichlid species

23 15:12:05

Question
Hello,
A relative of mine wants to keep  parrot cichlids. But its very hard to find information on the care of this cross species. So I was wondering if you could answer a few of my questions on them:
1.) What is the "real" color of these fish, that is which color is natural and not dyed?
2.) What size tank should they be kept in?
3.) Are they compatable with other species? (Please list which species)
4.)How large do they grow?
5.) What should they be fed?
6.) Are they beginner friendly?
7.) are their any other special requirements for this Cichlid?
Please tell me anything I might have missed about the care for this fish.
Thank you!
Susan.

Answer
Hi Susan;

Parrots are actually not dyed to my knowledge. Their colors change as they mature. The red varieties can be enhanced with natural color-enhancing foods, but it cannot be created with these foods. There must be a reddish or orange coloration to the fish already present in order for it to be effective.

I would reccommend a 30 gallon or larger for parrots.

I've kept parrots with other cichlids like jack dempseys, oscars, severums. I've also had them with silver dollars, plecostomus, large gouramis.

For more info, see the link below from our cichlid expert Ron Coleman;

http://cichlidresearch.com/parrot.html

Followups welcome.

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins