Blood parrot fish are a type of cichlid so if you love this type of fish then this might be a worthwhile addition to your tank. Of course, when it comes to caring for any type of fish, you must be prepared to meet their specific needs, and the blood parrot fish is no different.
These creatures require a very stable diet that consists of meat-based foods like shrimp and bloodworms. There are tons of products out there that claim to be the best food for blood parrot fish but there are certainly some that are better than others.
In this guide, we will be looking at some of the best foods for your blood parrot as well as giving you the rundown on how best to care for these fish in terms of feeding.
Getting To Know The Blood Parrot Fish
Blood parrot fish are a type of cichlid and are a popular choice in freshwater aquariums where owners want to add a splash of vibrant color to the tank. However, there is some controversy surrounding these stunning creatures. You see, unlike many other types of aquarium fish, the blood parrot is not found in the wild. This hybrid fish is the result of selective breeding which began in the late 1980s in Taiwan.
There are three main types of blood parrot fish that you can keep in your home aquarium. And each type has its very own unique characteristics.
The Red Blood Parrot fish is probably the most common type of this fish to be found in home aquariums. However, while they may be called blood-red they aren’t always that deep red you would think that they were. They are typically a little more orange or golden in color and the males may have a little bit of pink coloration around the head and throat. This type of blood parrot can grow to be as long as ten inches.
The purple blood parrot is the second most common type of parrot fish that you would see in a home aquarium. But much like its red cousin, it isn’t always completely purple.
Instead, you will notice deep red hues that vary in the shade around the body. It is this versatility in the shade that causes some parts of the fish to appear purple.
The final most common type of blood parrot to have in a home aquarium is the love heart parrot which is a little more obscure to look at, in that it does not have a tail. This gives it more of a love heart shape to its body. They come in different colors including various shades of red and purple.
What Are The Best Foods For Blood Parrot Fish?
When you start looking for the best blood parrot fish food, you will be presented with a lot of options. While there are many excellent brands out there, we think that the following three products are the most superior.
Hikari Blood Red Parrot Food
Typically, blood parrot fish prefer sinking food but the Hikari blood parrot food is a floating food. However, this really is the only downside to the food, and it certainly isn’t a deal-breaker.
What really stands out about the Hikari Blood Red Parrot food is that it is designed specifically for this breed of fish, making it perfect for their needs. The food is completely natural and does not contain any nasty ingredients, chemicals, or colors so you know that it is 100% safe for your pets.
What’s more, since the food is designed to be perfectly able to meet the nutritional needs of the blood parrot fish, it contains things like high levels of meat proteins. This will ensure that your blood parrots grow quickly into strong adult fish.
You will also notice that the Hikari food is packed with vitamins and minerals that are ideal for ensuring healthy digestion as well as keeping your blood parrot’s immune system in check.
If all of that wasn’t enough, this precise blend of ingredients is also designed to give your blood parrot fish the most vibrant and bold coloring. There are many aquarists who swear by this particular food for color enhancement and it is currently one of the best selling for this need.
Aqueon Cichlid Food Mini Pellets
The Aqueon pellets may be one of the simplest foods on the market that is suitable for the blood parrot but while it is basic, it has a lot to offer in terms of nutrition. If you choose this food as the main part of your fish’s diet then you will certainly see your cichlids thriving.
All of the ingredients are completely natural and the food contains no nasty chemicals or harmful ingredients that could be detrimental to the health of your fish.
What we really loved about the Aqueon food is that it is bursting with a whole host of important ingredients including, but not limited to krill, salmon, squid, garlic, spirulina, and a whole variety of essential oils. On top of this, it is packed with essential vitamins and minerals to promote the very best health for your fish. But then when you consider that this food is made for cichlids, it comes as no surprise that the ingredients would be so perfect.
Not only does the food promote things like a healthy immune system but it is also praised for its ability to boost the color of your blood parrots like nothing else we have seen. Furthermore, the pellets sink slowly making them ideal for the natural feeding habits of your fish.
Omega One Super Colour Cichlid Pellets
One of the things that really stands out about the Omega One cichlid pellets is that they are made with ingredients that are sourced from sustainable fisheries. This is super important when we consider the effects that overfishing has on our oceans and rivers so this really appealed to us.
These versatile pellets are made from 100% natural ingredients and contain no artificial colors or flavors making them perfectly safe for your prized pets. You will also find that the pellets are low in ash content which means that they won’t have a nasty effect on the color or quality of the tank water.
What’s more, the pellets are packed to the brim with superb ingredients across an entire range of fish species. You will also notice that they are bursting with plant-based ingredients too giving your fish a really balanced and varied diet. The good selection of vitamins and minerals finished off the composition to give you blood parrot fish the best chance of thriving.
As you might be able to tell by the name of the food, these pellets are oozing with Omega 3 and 6 which is essential for a healthy immune system. The ingredients also promote color enhancement to give you fish that are as visually pleasing as they are healthy.
What To Consider When Buying Food For Blood Parrot Fish
When it comes to choosing the right food for your blood parrot fish, there are a few things that you will want to think about. There aren’t a lot of considerations but it pays to spend some time thinking about your options before making a final decision.
Ingredients
One of the most important things to think about when choosing your food for the blood parrot is that the ingredients are going to promote excellent health. But on top of this, you will want to make sure that the fish have the best color enhancement possible. There are certain ingredients that will promote this better than others and B-carotene is one of the best.
However, you can also look for foods that contain canthaxanthin which is also excellent for bringing out the bold and vibrant colors of these gorgeous fish.
You will need to make sure that the food has a lot of meat proteins which might come in the form of things like salmon, squid, krill, and other sea animals. But it is also good to look for foods that also contain vegetable matter as cichlids do like this variation and it provides them with a little extra nutrition.
Tank Mates
You might not think it but the tank mates that you choose for your blood parrot fish might have an impact on how well they feed.
These fish are quite shy by their very nature and this is especially true of younger specimens. They will grow in confidence once they become familiar with the aquarium and their tank mates and may even become very interactive with their owners if you allow the time to develop a bond with them. However, this can take some serious time.
Regardless of the other fish that you keep in the tank, you should make sure that your blood parrots have a lot of spaces to hide as this will make them feel safer and help them to adjust to their surroundings much more easily.
With all that said, more confident blood parrots are not uncommon and this comes from the various personality traits that they get from their mixed parents. However, the character of each fish will vary from individual to individual so you should judge appropriate tank mates based on this.
You are best to choose fish that are of a similar size to the blood parrot or that are slightly smaller. Whatever you do, don’t pair them with very delicate smaller fish like tetras. Things like silver dollars and Oscars are a good choice to put in with blood parrots but you will need to make sure that the fish have plenty of space as the blood parrot, while shy, is very territorial.
Conclusion
The blood parrot is a large aquarium fish that is a hybrid breed and comes in a variety of colors and shapes. However, these fish require a very specific diet so it is important to always check out the ingredients of any potential food and ensure that it is suitable for meeting the nutrition needs of your fish.
Anything with a lot of meat proteins and natural ingredients is going to be the best for your fish and will ensure optimal health as well as enhancing the beautiful colors.
