Description
Red Parrot Cichlid (Hoplarchus psittacus) – A Bold Splash of Color for Your Aquarium
The Red Parrot Cichlid, often referred to as the Red Parrotfish, is a stunning and unique freshwater fish that makes an unforgettable impression with its vibrant red-orange coloration and unusual beak-like mouth. This fish’s striking appearance, combined with its energetic and curious personality, makes it a standout addition to any aquarium. While its bright, bold color can add a lively touch to your tank, its peaceful yet curious nature ensures it’s a welcome addition to most larger community setups.
Native to Central and South America, the Red Parrot Cichlid is an artificial hybrid, typically bred for its distinctive colors and features. Despite its name, it’s not actually a parrotfish but rather a type of cichlid with a rounded body and a beak-like mouth, giving it a unique appearance that’s unlike any other freshwater fish.
Key Features & Care Guidelines:
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Striking Coloration: The Red Parrot Cichlid is most known for its vivid red, orange, or yellowish body that can develop more intense hues with proper care and diet. This fish’s bright coloration stands out, adding a dynamic pop of color to any aquarium setup.
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Beak-Like Mouth: True to its name, the Red Parrot Cichlid has a distinctive, beak-like mouth, which gives it a quirky, parrot-like appearance. This feature is one of the main draws for aquarists who are captivated by unique fish.
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Behavior: Generally peaceful and active, the Red Parrot Cichlid is an ideal choice for community tanks with other non-aggressive fish of similar size. While they may display occasional territorial behavior, they typically get along well with other species and can adapt to a variety of tank setups.
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Tank Size: A minimum of 55 gallons is recommended for a single Red Parrot Cichlid, though larger tanks are better for housing multiple individuals or other tankmates. A spacious tank allows them to roam and exhibit natural behaviors.
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Water Parameters: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral water with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5 and temperatures ranging from 75°F to 80°F (24°C to 27°C). The Red Parrot Cichlid appreciates stable water conditions, so good filtration and regular water changes are essential to keep this fish healthy and vibrant.
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Diet: Omnivorous and not picky about food, the Red Parrot Cichlid will accept a wide variety of foods, including high-quality pellets, flakes, and live or frozen offerings such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia. A varied diet helps maintain their color and health.
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Tank Setup: Prefers aquariums with ample hiding spots, such as caves, driftwood, and plants, but also benefits from open swimming areas. Red Parrot Cichlids are known for their curious nature, and they will explore their environment with excitement, so be sure to provide a tank that encourages this activity.
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Experience Level: The Red Parrot Cichlid is suitable for intermediate to advanced aquarists. While it is hardy and easy to care for, its unique feeding habits and occasional territorial tendencies require a bit of attention and understanding.
The Red Parrot Cichlid is a vibrant and charismatic fish that adds a bold splash of color and intrigue to any freshwater aquarium. Its unique appearance and peaceful personality make it a favorite among aquarists looking for a striking yet low-maintenance fish. Whether swimming gracefully or interacting with its surroundings, the Red Parrot Cichlid will bring both beauty and energy to your tank.
Click & Collect
FREE COLLECTION FROM OUR STORE
Place your order online and select Click & Collect at checkout.
Livestock will normally be bagged when you arrive, helping to minimise the amount of time animals spend packaged. If you’d prefer your livestock to be ready beforehand, simply contact us in advance.
Local Delivery
DELIVERED BY TROPICAL SUPPLIES • WITHIN 25 MILES
Order from our in-store range and have it delivered directly to you using our own local delivery service.
Minimum order: £50
Local Delivery Charges:
Up to 5 miles — FREE
5–10 miles — £10
10–15 miles — £15
15–20 miles — £20
20–25 miles — £25
Distances are measured “as the crow flies” rather than by road.
Once your order has been placed, we’ll contact you to arrange a suitable delivery date and time. We often combine nearby orders into efficient delivery runs, so local delivery may take a little longer during busy periods.
Ordering a large aquarium?
Please make sure someone is available to help unload the aquarium from our van when we arrive.
Dry Goods Delivery
FREE UK Delivery Over £75
Spend £75 or more on eligible dry goods and receive FREE UK delivery on orders weighing up to 20kg.
A great opportunity to stock up on food, treatments, filter media, accessories and other aquarium or reptile essentials while saving on delivery.
Free delivery applies to eligible orders up to 20kg and excludes livestock, aquariums, terrariums and other oversized items.
Qualifying orders will automatically show the FREE UK Delivery option at checkout — no discount code required.
Standard Parcel Delivery
Our standard parcel delivery charges are calculated according to the weight of your order and the available delivery service.
Orders placed before 12 noon may be dispatched the same day on our current dispatch days.
Express Pallet
75–500kg • Usually 1–3 working days
Designed for large and heavy orders that cannot be sent using our standard parcel service.
Please note: We currently dispatch parcels Wednesday to Friday.
Adding Something to an Existing Order?
If your original order hasn’t been dispatched yet, simply place the additional items as a Click & Collect order and leave us a note asking us to combine them with your existing order.
Available to Order
See something you want that we don’t currently have on the shelf? Many of our products can be quickly sourced from our suppliers.
Products marked Available to Order are not currently held in stock at our store but are available for us to order on your behalf.
Most items arrive with us within a few days and usually no longer than a week, depending on supplier availability.
Once your item arrives with us, we’ll either dispatch your order or let you know it’s ready for collection, depending on the delivery option you selected.
After receiving your order, we’ll check availability with our supplier. If there are any issues or expected delays, we’ll contact you to let you know.
Nationwide Livestock Delivery
Have your new livestock delivered safely to your door using our specialist livestock delivery service.
Minimum livestock order: £50
Thursday Delivery — £24
Order by: Wednesday, 12 noon
Dispatched: Wednesday afternoon
Delivered: Thursday before 1pm
Friday Delivery — £24
Order by: Thursday, 12 noon
Dispatched: Thursday afternoon
Delivered: Friday before 1pm
Saturday Delivery — £29
Order by: Friday, 12 noon
Dispatched: Friday afternoon
Delivered: Saturday before 1pm
Add Dry Goods to Your Livestock Order
You can include suitable dry goods with your livestock delivery, making it easy to add food, treatments, filter media, accessories and other supplies at the same time.
Please note: Livestock deliveries cannot include frozen food or heavy items such as gravel, sand or other unsuitable bulky goods. These items must be ordered separately using an appropriate delivery method.
Already Placed Your Order?
No problem. If your livestock order hasn’t been dispatched yet, place another order using Click & Collect and leave us a note asking us to combine it with your existing order.
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