How to Breed Red Parrots

The red parrot is actually a fish. Also called the blood parrot, this fish is a hybrid within the Cichlids family, which contains more than 1,000 different species. They can grow to be 8 to 10 inches long, are usually bright orange, yellow or red and have a beak-shaped mouth. Unfortunately these fish are notoriously difficult to breed and are fairly high maintenance as well. However, you can significantly increase your chances of breeding if you learn some basics of how to care for them and the ideal conditions for breeding and egg raising.

Things You'll Need

  • Large fish tank
  • Rocks, wood, plants, caves and other tank dressings
  • Water filter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Buy fertile red parrots. Red parrots are hybrids, and when they were first created in a laboratory, the majority of males were infertile. These days the fertility rate is much higher. However, these fish can still have a high infertility rate and breeding can be difficult. Before buying the fish, talk to the fish farm or pet shop. Ask them if the fish have previously bred successfully or come from a family of successful breeders. If not, it could mean they are infertile. Look elsewhere.

    • 2
      Never keep red parrots in a small bare tank like this.

      Create an ideal environment for the red parrots. The bottom of the tank should be covered with either small rocks or bogwood. Bogwood is a special type of wood ideal for fish tanks as it releases nutrients into the water which are beneficial for the fish. It can be purchased at most fish stores.

      Your red parrots also need a flat, preferably hidden place to lay eggs. Buy some small caves or put a couple of turned-over pots inside the tank. These fish can grow to be over 10 inches long, so make sure the tank is fairly large. Ideally the temperature will sit at 75 degrees F, but increase it 5 degrees for breeding. Finally, red parrots are highly susceptible to black spot disease. Change the water frequently -- once a week -- and install a good filtration system.

    • 3

      Observe the fish behavior. If they are preparing to breed, red parrots will exhibit nesting behavior. They should appear to kiss and cuddle and spin around each other in the water. In turn they will start to clean an area of the tank to lay the eggs in. If you do not observe this behavior within a couple of weeks of pairing them, there may be something wrong.

    • 4

      Change the male if breeding is continually unsuccessful. Unfortunately, in the case of parrot fish, it's usually the male's fault if breeding does not occur. He may be too young, too old or simply infertile. Leave a breeding couple alone in the tank if you can. If not, ensure there are plenty of hiding places for the lovers to go.