Blood Parrot Question

[Romona]

I have had one blood parrot cichlid for 1.5 years and I added 3 more about 3 months ago. All are orange. I noticed today that one has started getting black spots all over. Is this normal? I know they can have black spots and lose them as they get older.

 

[evers86]

It’s normal for blood parrots to go through a stage when they have black spots. My parrot when though the same stage and turned blood orange when the spots disappeared.

 

[Romona]

Thank you I was worried!

 

[tcav88]

It’s normal for blood parrots to go through a stage when they have black spots. My parrot when though the same stage and turned blood orange when the spots disappeared.

+1

 

[Aquatic Aggression]

Could be a sign of stress or dominance. Cichlids often change color or show bars when stressed or wound up. Faders like your parrot may have a bit of melanin deep down to express when appropriate.

 

[Romona]

He must have been stressed because he has no black today. He tends to keep to himself. The other 2 young parrots follow the bigger one. Thank you!

 

[FINWIN]

Parrots change color a LOT. When my Patch lays eggs, she's literally "patchy". Like someone dabbed her in shades of pink. One of my other parrots Boss sometimes gets a white chin for no reason, then it goes away. My parrot Kong sometimes goes "frosty orange". I call them the mood ring cichlids!

 

[Romona]

I wish mine would darken. I alternate Omega One pellets and flakes.
I know alot of fishkeepers don't like parrots, but my big one is the reason I got into the fish hobby. I did wait until I got experience before I purchased him. I wasn't going to buy anymore parrots but the other 3 that I got had been there for months. I felt bad for them.

 

[FINWIN]

I wish mine would darken. I alternate Omega One pellets and flakes.
I know alot of fishkeepers don't like parrots, but my big one is the reason I got into the fish hobby. I did wait until I got experience before I purchased him. I wasn't going to buy anymore parrots but the other 3 that I got had been there for months. I felt bad for them.

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Nice looking little ones. Bulk 'em up with Hikari Parrot Red and mix with the small Excel pellets. You can try blanched veggies on a clip,too. Don't worry about them all being the same color, contrast is nice too.

Parrots are heavy bioload when big. Good food, lots of clean water and you'll see a huge difference in say 6 weeks.

 

[Romona]

I do a 50% water change once a week. I have 2 Aqueon Pro 75 and 2 double sponges to help out.