Red devils.

 

The Parrot cichlid is one of those fish I enjoy in my tanks but I also don't like because it's a Hybrid. They are my wife's favorite so I currently have 2 and I will be getting more I'm sure. I did some reading on them a while back so I would have a better understanding of them. What I found out was no one really knows what was mixed to make them. The common thought is the Red devil and Midas are the most likely base fish. Some people think the convict and Severums might have been mixed in also.

I have not seen any other fish that has the personality of the Blood parrot that is unique to them. But if you want something that looks close look at the red devil and Midas, but both would be more aggressive.


Also if you look at the fish close you will see there are two lines of these fish. There is the main line that has been around for years, this is the fish you see when you do a google search. In the last few years there has been another line of "Blood Parrot Cichlids" that look different in the face. The face is a little more round and longer than the main line. I have read that this new line was developed in Asia because the popularity of the blood parrot, these fish are cheaper also.

I assume the new line is because of the trouble breeding blood parrots and someone decided to create their own line years ago. This would have taken years (10-15+ years) to get the line to where it is and start producing enough fish to sale.

 

Severum

 

I will check out that Severum now, thanks. I like the name

 

Make sure you have a big enough tank, as the most commonly found severum (Heros efaciatus) gets 12 inches. Heros severus get only 6, though.