TRUE PARROT CICHLID
Hoplarchus psittacus
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
📍 BASIC INFO
Origin: South America – Amazon Basin
Adult Size: 10″ – 12″+
Temperament: Semi-aggressive / Territorial
Care Level: ⭐⭐ Moderate to Advanced
Tank Level: Mid – Bottom
🍽 DIET
Omnivore
Accepts: High-quality pellets, sinking foods, frozen foods (shrimp, bloodworms), occasional vegetables
✔ COMPATIBILITY
Best kept with medium to large South American cichlids. Can be territorial, especially as it matures. Avoid small or timid tankmates. Works well in spacious aquariums with robust tankmates.
💧 WATER PARAMETERS
pH: 6.0 – 7.5
Temperature: 76–84°F
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: <40 ppm
⭐ HIGHLIGHT
A true South American classic — natural parrot cichlid with powerful body shape and vibrant coloration, far more authentic than hybrid “blood parrots.”
📝 CARE NOTES
Requires a large aquarium with strong filtration and stable water conditions. Provide hiding spots using driftwood and rocks. Known for intelligence and personality. Regular water changes are important to maintain health and coloration.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Fish World Aquarium 🐟