While I personally don't have any problems with the 'look all the same just colored differently' thing you describe (that's exactly how it is with all the botia-type loaches I have or will have, after all), I agree with you in that Malawis definitely aren't my favorites either (as my signature would imply, but it goes into little depth)..
You can't put anything that's not from the African Great Lakes with them, you have to deliberately overcrowd them (which is not only a pain in the neck to do maintenance on an overstocked tank, but aggression levels must be constantly monitored too since that's the very point of the overcrowding), you must take great care to ensure the carnivorous and herbivorous cichlids aren't eating each other's food so they don't bloat, you must trouble yourself with numerous trips to and from the pet store on possibly inconvenient dates in order to get more females because the male female ratio didn't work, you must constantly keep an eye on breeding cichlids to keep hybrids at bay, you can't tell whether mouthbrooding females are carrying hybrids, you sometimes can't tell hybrids from pure fish, etc, etc, etc.
For both you and Deadeye, the overall ethical/conservation issue of blood parrots still stands even if the bad quality of life doesn't for some. These should be worth a read:
Frequently asked questions on Parrot cichlids
www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk
Not bashing preferences at all, just that what is outlined in the articles is noteworthy.
Parrot cichlids — to be cherished or avoided?
Took me a minute to find this info on bps.
Some of it is accurate and some of it is hoo. That's the beauty (if you will) of parrots. Because they're so variable the same info can't be applied across the board. I've seen ugly, jacked up looking parrots. I've seen some gorgeous and better looking than 'pure' breds. If you saw my parrots in person I guarantee nobody would think they had trouble eating. Two have big mouths and can gobble 7mm pellets. One has a small mouth and can only eat up to 3mm pellets. The other can eat up to 4mm pellets. The ones with midas ancestry have the big mouths. Some of the jacked up parrots I've seen look like they're starving, most likely people trying to feed pellets too large.
Three of mine have teeth, one does not. One has a single fang tooth up top (she's stabby). Sizes range from 7+" to 8". 3 ish yrs old, no more than 4. The one with no teeth is known for ripping lips and head butting. Two are ultra aggressive, one moderate, and one is skittish and shy. All of 'em smart asf though.
I used to dislike flowerhorns but they grew on me. The only ones I don't like now have the 'grapefruit' head with a short stumpy body. Makes me wanna go get a pin.
