Red Parrot Fish Hybrid Amphilophus citrinellus × Vieja melanurus 5cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Red Parrot Cichlid is a man-made hybrid of Amphilophus citrinellus and Vieja melanurus, the classic deep red-orange form that gives the blood parrot its name. Its rounded shape, beak-like mouth and inquisitive personality make it instantly recognisable. Parent species come from Central America; it suits keepers wanting a characterful, long-lived centrepiece for a robust cichlid community.
- Adult Size: Around 20 cm (8 in); some individuals slightly larger
- Lifespan: 10–15 years
Origin
- Native to: Captive-bred hybrid; parent species from Central America
- Habitat: Aquarium strain only; parents from lakes and slow rivers
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous
- Preferred Foods: Sinking cichlid pellets, colour-enhancing granules, bloodworm, brine shrimp, krill, blanched peas
- Feeding Habits: Feed once or twice daily; small sinking foods suit the awkward mouth
Tank Mates
- Best with: Other parrots, severums, medium peaceful Central American cichlids, large catfish, silver dollars
- Avoid: Small fish that fit in the mouth, aggressive cichlids, fin-nippers
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Semi-aggressive but generally mild; poor swimmer and mouth limit real damage
- Territoriality: Mildly territorial; claims a cave or corner, more so when spawning
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
- Challenges: Heavy waste load; needs strong filtration and regular water changes
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, moderately hard and neutral
- Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)
- pH: 6.5–7.8
- Hardness: 6–18 dGH
- Flow: Slow to moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 200 litres for one; add around 75 litres per extra fish
Final Notes
Buy with a long commitment in mind: this small juvenile grows into a bulky, messy adult that needs a big, well-filtered tank with caves and open swimming space. Females lay eggs readily but males are usually infertile, so spawns rarely hatch. Sexing is difficult outside spawning. Shy at first, it soon learns to recognise its keeper and begs at the glass, which is much of its charm.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.