Blood parrot cichlid

The Blood parrot (also known as bloody parrot and blood parrotfish; no binomial nomenclature) is a hybrid cichlid. The fish was first created in Taiwan in around 1986.cite web | url = http://www.aquafriend.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=66&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0 | title = It's The Frankenstein Monster Of The Fish World: The Blood Parrot! | publisher = AquaFriend.com | date = 2002-10-27 | accessdate = 2006-09-10] Its parentage is unknown, but the most commonly speculated pairings are midas cichlid ("Amphilophus citrinellus") with the redhead cichlid ("Cichlasoma synspilum"), or the severum ("Heros severus") with the red devil cichlid ("Amphilophus labiatus").cite web | url = http://www.timstropicals.com/Inventory/NewWorld/BloodParrotInfo.asp | title = Blood Parrot Cichlid Information | publisher = Tim's Tropicals | accessdate = 2006-09-10] Blood parrots should not be confused with other parrot cichlids or salt water Parrotfish ("family: Scaridae").cite web | url = http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/cichlids1/a/bloodparrot.htm | title = Blood Parrot | work = Freshwater Aquariums | publisher = About.com | author = Sharpe, Shirlie | accessdate = 2006-09-10]

Because this hybrid cichlid has various anatomical deformities, controversy exists over the ethics of creating the Blood Parrot. One of the most obvious, and also deadly, deformities is its mouth, which only has very narrow vertical opening. This makes blood parrot very hard to feed. Many die eventually because of this. Cichlid enthusiasts have called for their removal from the market and organized boycotts against pet stores that sell them.

Description

Blood parrots are bright orange in coloration, but various colors may be produced by dyeing the fish, which can shorten life expectancy. The fish are injected with a colored dye by the breeder. Practical Fishkeeping has been very successful in bringing this practice to light and as a consequence, the vast majority of fish stockists will no longer sell these modified fish. The fish have several anatomical deformities, including a beak-shaped mouth that cannot fully close, which they compensate for by crushing food with the throat muscles. Blood parrots sometimes can have deformed swim bladders, causing an awkward swimming pattern; abnormal spines, contributing to the unique shape; and unusually large, and often deformed irises.cite web | url = http://www.aquariacentral.com/fishinfo/fresh/bparrot.shtml | title = Man's Best or Worst Creation? | publisher = Aqua Central | author = McEwan, Michael | accessdate = 2006-09-10] Adult fish can grow to a length of 8–10 inches (20–25 centimeters) and reach an age of 10 years or older. Some red parrots have reached over 15 years of age.Fact|date=April 2007

Breeding

Male blood parrots generally are infertile, but successful breeding has occurred. Normally, a female blood parrot lays eggs on a hard surface, and both parents guard the eggs until the brood develops fungus, at which time the eggs will be consumed by either the parents or other fish. However, fish farms have begun introducing male blood parrots injected with a hormone to increase fertility.

In aquaria

Blood parrots are hardy and may be housed by enthusiasts singly, in schools, or with complementary species under a variety of conditions. Sufficient lighting can be provided by a variety of compact fluorescent lamps without the use of T5 or halide fixtures. The fish are voracious eaters and generate significant uneaten debris during feeding. High volume filtration and frequent substrate suctioning is recommended to minimize nitrates.Fact|date=April 2007

References

External links

* cite web
title = Blood Parrot Forum, Supporting the Blood Parrot Community Since 2002 .
url = http://www.bloodparrots.co.uk
accessdate =