My opinion on blood parrots

BullTerrierChild · May 16, 2026

I've heard of the controversy around blood parrot cichlids countless times, and after keeping them for well over a year, I'd like to share my take on the matter.

For context, I picked up a very frightened blood parrot cichlid that was "hiding" behind a filter around 15 months ago at Petco. Upon taking it home, It quickly gained color and a whole new personality. I picked up two more parrots from a private-owned pet store and circled my way back to Petco to pick up one more which has a beautiful (not dyed) red coloration. The first parrot I bought is now around the size of my hand with a beautiful orange coloration and a large personality.
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I believe that the most widely shared issue about blood parrots among hobbyists is the controversy surrounding the selective breeding of the species that could impact the quality of life for them, specifically their jaw structure (inability to properly close their mouths like other cichlids). While I won't deny the fact that the breeding of blood parrots seems to cross the "line of morality" ever so slightly, I do not believe that it is overkill like telescope-eye goldfish breeding. The main concern is that with their inability to properly close their mouths, parrots may have a harder time accessing food. I have, however, seen that all of my specimens are able to keep themselves fed, taking advantage of "suctioning" the food to them, in place. However, I mainly feed my fish beefheart, so I am only speaking under my circumstances (livefood feeding). If you want to keep blood parrots, I suggest a diet revolving around livefoods or small pellets. Following this, I believe that parrots can live a happy, healthy life.

Due to other potential health related concerns regarding their body shape after years of selective breeding, I would argue that the species shouldn't be specifically be bred for new phenotypes anymore if possible. I would also like to acknowledge Black Spot disease that is quite common in parrots, though it goes away without any medication and doesn't do any harm to the fish (If I'm correct...). It seems more weird to me over concerning.

I find them to be slightly more aggressive and territorial than other cichlids that I keep them with (South American cichlids), but they are more like bumper cars than wild dogs. The issue with them is the possibility of them riling up other fish who can properly bite their "victims." This level of aggression seems to make them compatible with hardy fish from around the world, however, which is an advantage as long as you are careful when selecting tankmates.

All in all, I believe that blood parrot cichlids should not be an immediate area of concern at the moment, but aquarists should keep an eye out for any more detrimental changes in the species. What do you think?

GaryE · May 17, 2026

They're a manufactured fish, not a species. But if you like them, enjoy keeping them. Just don't make more of them. The fish has been intentionally handicapped, and there's an ethical question there, as there is with many goldfish varieties, balloon fish etc. Handicapping works on several levels - when bloody parrots first arrived many of them died from the mouth deformity, just as many fancy goldfish die from their deformities. I wouldn't give support to that. There is a category many call "cruelty breeding", and I'd put bloody parrots into it. I would ban their sales, but that would extend to French bulldogs and pugs. I love individual dogs of these breeds, but overall, their handicaps shouldn't be propagated. Enjoy the ones you have, but don't encourage the breeders or the industry that produces them.

There are blurry lines - what to do about longfinned varieties of fish? Certainly and undeniably, their swimming ability is reduced simply to make humans happy. But the cut off lines are impossible to draw.

Blood parrots are petrie dish creations, and aren't traditional selective breeding. That creates interesting questions, and makes the beak and body deformities conscious choices, not random mutations exploited. Hmm is all I can say.

I don't buy such fish. If I had a store, I wouldn't sell them. I make value judgments - if someone posts here about a blood parrot in difficulties, I won't usually offer advice unless I'm more concerned about the fishkeeper's well being than that of the fish. They're write offs to me, but their keepers aren't.

Are they ugly? Who cares? That isn't the point. Does that balloon ram have scoliosis because of a breeder's decision? Does its major scoliosis hurt as much as my mild version does? That's the point. Why would someone do that to an animal on purpose? Should I support the people who do? The intent of the breeder is just to make money. Cruel body forms are lucrative. I don't support that trade.

BullTerrierChild · May 17, 2026

GaryE said:
They're a manufactured fish, not a species. But if you like them, enjoy keeping them. Just don't make more of them. The fish has been intentionally handicapped, and there's an ethical question there, as there is with many goldfish varieties, balloon fish etc. Handicapping works on several levels - when bloody parrots first arrived many of them died from the mouth deformity, just as many fancy goldfish die from their deformities. I wouldn't give support to that. There is a category many call "cruelty breeding", and I'd put bloody parrots into it. I would ban their sales, but that would extend to French bulldogs and pugs. I love individual dogs of these breeds, but overall, their handicaps shouldn't be propagated. Enjoy the ones you have, but don't encourage the breeders or the industry that produces them.

There are blurry lines - what to do about longfinned varieties of fish? Certainly and undeniably, their swimming ability is reduced simply to make humans happy. But the cut off lines are impossible to draw.

Blood parrots are petrie dish creations, and aren't traditional selective breeding. That creates interesting questions, and makes the beak and body deformities conscious choices, not random mutations exploited. Hmm is all I can say.

I don't buy such fish. If I had a store, I wouldn't sell them. I make value judgments - if someone posts here about a blood parrot in difficulties, I won't usually offer advice unless I'm more concerned about the fishkeeper's well being than that of the fish. They're write offs to me, but their keepers aren't.

Are they ugly? Who cares? That isn't the point. Does that balloon ram have scoliosis because of a breeder's decision? Does its major scoliosis hurt as much as my mild version does? That's the point. Why would someone do that to an animal on purpose? Should I support the people who do? The intent of the breeder is just to make money. Cruel body forms are lucrative. I don't support that trade.

I agree with what you say, definitely. I don't think I would buy any more in the future. I prefer keeping natural fish. At the same time, I'm glad that mine are seemingly thriving (as much as their species can do so) in my tank. Thank you!

Rusty_Shackleford · May 17, 2026

Club them on the head like a baby seal.

GaryE · May 17, 2026

Rusty_Shackleford said:
Club them on the head like a baby seal.

As man whose ancestors were 'swilers' (Newfoundland seal hunters) in the bad old days of poverty making people do those things - no!

Just walk on by. It's what I do with fish I dislike intensely, and it works. It's a peaceful solution.

Rusty_Shackleford · May 17, 2026

GaryE said:
As man whose ancestors were 'swilers' (Newfoundland seal hunters) in the bad old days of poverty making people do those things - no!

Just walk on by. It's what I do with fish I dislike intensely, and it works. It's a peaceful solution.

As with most things in life, education/knowledge goes a long long way.
If people are educated as to what parrot cichlids or glo fish really are they are far less likely to keep them. Let's face it these type of creatures are created, and marketed towards a certain percentage of uninformed aquarists, usually beginners that don't know any better.
It all comes down to dollars, if these fish stop selling they will stop being produced.
Demand dictates supply.

BullTerrierChild · May 17, 2026

I agree with what you say, as well. I've never kept glo-fish or artificially dyed goldfish. I believe that those practices are quite cruel and not pleasing, either. I can only get around some blood parrots and electric blue acaras, but I prefer natural, always.