Parrot fish: varieties and secrets of keeping

Parrot fish is well known to aquarists and is very popular among them. The demand for the species is explained by its unpretentiousness to the conditions of detention and a striking appearance that can decorate any aquarium.

The parrot fish, also known as the Japanese parrot or the red parrot (Latin: Red Parrot Cichlid), is the result of breeding experiments in the wild. The view was obtained thanks to the work of Taiwanese specialists in 1964 and immediately gained universal fame. The labiatum and severum belonging to the cichlid family, as well as being highly decorative and in good health, were used as parental individuals.

However, the full list of participants in breeding work on the development of the hybrid has not been announced - Asian breeders keep it a secret. The involvement of the two listed species in this experiment could be established only by indirect signs, such as external similarity and behavior.

Like many young hybrids, parrot fish have some physical disabilities, of which representatives of naturally occurring species are deprived. As one of the anomalies, one can note a mouth too small, which does not allow them to eat normally, nor defend against more aggressive relatives. In addition, as a result of the transformation of genes, the spine of parrot fish is slightly deformed, which is why the swimming bladder also has some developmental abnormalities.

The parrot fish looks unusually beautiful. The body has an interesting barrel-shaped shape, the caudal fin is rather short, and the fish themselves grow to 25-30 cm. There is also a tailless version - a heart-shaped parrot that looks very graceful and non-standard. It stands out from the rest of the aquarium inhabitants with its interesting shape and bright colors.

Despite the beautiful color, the face of parrot fish is not very pretty. This is due to the humpback shape of the nose, resembling a beak, and fangs protruding outward. Plus, parrot fish swim quite awkwardly, which also does not add grace and aesthetics to their appearance. However, a very beautiful coloring and interesting habits cause admiration and tenderness among aquarium lovers, keeping the parrot fish at high lines in the popularity rating.

Regarding color, you should talk separately. The fact is that parrot fish are painted. During their experiments, breeders use special dyes that are added to experimental specimens in food. As a result, parrot fish acquire unnaturally bright and beautiful colors, which enchant others.

But the most unpleasant thing is not feeding the fish with dyes, but tattoos on them. To do this, they are placed in a container with alkali, which dissolves the natural mucus that protects the skin of the fish from damage and infection. Further, the unfortunate "parrots" are immersed in paint or a tattoo is knocked out on them.

The final stage of execution is the placement of fish in a special solution, which has an irritating effect on the skin, causing it to intensively produce new mucus. During this wild procedure, a lot of parrot fish die, unable to withstand the bullying of Asian breeders. Surviving specimens, falling into normal conditions, live up to 10 years, are distinguished by good health and strong immunity.

but not all parrots are painted; most fish have a natural color. Among natural shades, red and orange colors prevail, yellow is a little less common. It is also worth noting that among parrot fish, completely depigmented individuals are often found - albinos. They differ in poor health, low stamina and require the creation of more comfortable conditions.

Fish classification body shape and color. In total there are more than 100 varieties of parrot fish, but only a few of them are most famous. The most common colors are yellow, gold, white, diamond, marble, pearl and purple, as well as variegated varieties.

However, the most popular is the red parrot fish. It is distinguished by a bright red color with orange flashes, a humpbacked nose that looks like a beak, and fangs protruding forward. Adults grow up to 25 cm and are suitable for joint maintenance with fish of other species.

The second classification criterion is the shape of the body and fins of the parrot fish. On this basis, the following hybrid varieties are distinguished:

• unicorn - a species with a small seal on the head in the form of a horn;

• a heart in love is a species that does not have a tail, because of which its body takes on several unusual shapes;

• red ingot - representatives of this variety have a body resembling a disk in shape and look very interesting;

• red fortune is a species with very long fins and an impressive growth on the forehead.

• King Kong - these fish are huge and have a big fat cone on the frontal part of the head.

Parrot fish is one of the few species of American cichlids that do not experience problems with its aquarium neighbors. They are non-aggressive and non-skittish, have no complaints about other fish regarding the territory. "Parrots" are compatible with almost all aquarium fish and do not cause the owners problems associated with many species of South American cichlids.

Parrot fish get along well with catfish, barbs, black knives, astronotes, characins, and most of the cichlids. The exception is scalars - one of the smallest varieties of cichlids. This fish is constantly hiding in dense green algae, which "parrots" mercilessly eat. After the greens are eaten, they pay attention to miniature scalars, and striving to eat them.

Parrot fish are unpretentious creatures, are well suited for beginners and are quite easy to care for. However, before you purchase them, you must properly prepare the aquarium. To do this, it is advisable to take a container with a capacity of at least 150 liters per one pair of fish, pour disinfected soil into it and lay large roots, driftwood, large flat stones, ceramic pots and coconut shells on the bottom. These elements will serve as a shelter for fish and a place for laying eggs.

As a soil, it is recommended to use a mixture of river sand and small pebbles, taken in equal amounts, carefully mixed and calcined in the oven. The layer thickness should be at least 6 cm, which is due to the tendency of "parrots" to dig the soil. In addition, pebbles should be round and smooth, otherwise pets loving to fumble in the substrate may get hurt.

Then you need to purchase and install a powerful filter that can distill at least two volumes of the aquarium in an hour, and a compressor that saturates the water with oxygen. Water is updated weekly, replacing from 20 to 30% of the total volume. The temperature of the water in the aquarium should be + 24-27 degrees Celsius, acidity - 7 units, and the stiffness index is not more than 25 dGh.

And also we must not forget about the backlight. Parrot fish like moderate light, so if the aquarium is in a dark room, then it must be highlighted. As a lighting device, you can use lamps with a red light, as they very beautifully illuminate the scales of fish, making them even more spectacular.

As for green spaces, it is better to plant them along the walls of the aquarium or in the background. This is due to the fact that during spawning, females root out algae and lay eggs in the formed pits.

You can feed the "parrots" shredded vegetable food, either alive frozen feed as well as dry granular formulations. You can diversify the diet with bloodworms, artemia, shrimp and worms. As a top dressing, it is allowed to give live guppies and meat products. To prevent color loss, it is recommended that products rich in beta-carotene be included in the menu.

Parrot fish is fed 2 times a day - in the morning and in the evening, while forming not too large portions. Food for them is subject to mandatory grinding, which is due to the small mouth and difficulties in eating. Once a week, you need to arrange a fasting day without giving the fish any food at all. This need is due to the tendency of parrot fish to overeat and rapid obesity.

Considering the peculiarities of keeping parrot fish, one cannot but say about their diseases, which are often caused by poor conditions and unbalanced nutrition. So, the appearance of black spots on the scales is explained by an ammonia burn or severe stress, which arose due to the destroyed shelter or a large overpopulation of the aquarium. In addition, parrot fish sometimes suffer from common fish diseases such as semolina and hexamitosis, however, in general, much stronger and healthier than all of their ancestors.

Sexual dimorphism in this species is very weakly expressed, due to which it is very difficult to distinguish a young female from a male at first glance. This can only be done during spawning, when the ovipositor appears in the females and the vas deferens in the males. Distinguishing them is quite simple: the ovipositor is quite wide, has the shape of a tube and a small length, while the vas deferens are pointed and narrow.

And only with age (about one and a half years) do noticeable external differences appear. Males acquire a brighter color, and their fins become pointed. In addition, at this age they are already noticeably larger than females, which does not allow to make a mistake in determining sex.

Like many species obtained using genetic engineering, spermatogenesis in male parrot fish is completely absent, which makes them infertile. However, they behave during the mating season in the same way as prolific species. Couples arrange mating games, dig in the ground and prepare a place for spawning. Then the females lay eggs, and that’s it. Males are not able to fertilize eggs, because of which they die or are eaten by the male and female.

If the couple lives in a common aquarium, and males of other species of cichlids manage to fertilize eggs, then numerous offspring appear, in a form similar to a mother, but in a completely different color. For example, fry from a female of red color to 5 months of age are gray-black in color, after which many of them turn orange.

Parrot fish are a very interesting hybrid species of cichlids and their appearance and habits do not leave anyone indifferent. So, at night, many of them are engaged in the formation of a cocoon from mucus, in which they safely spend the night. And also interesting is the fact that the color of parrots is unstable during the whole life, it varies depending on age and conditions of detention. In this case, we mean natural unpainted varieties that were not subjected to different executions.

The behavior of parrots in pairs is also interesting. After spawning and the appearance of fry with the participation of another male, the “spouse” often finds out the relationship and fight each other. Whether this is due to the appearance of “another man” in the house or not is unknown, but the fact remains. Noteworthy and their the ability to remember the owner in the face and in the future to accurately recognize him.

The smallest of them is pelvicachromis pulcher (lat. Pelvicachromis pulcher). This species already refers to African cichlids, it differs from its overall relatives in miniature size and absolute peaceability. In addition, unlike large "parrots", the fish has a natural origin and is able to breed in a natural way. In the wild, the "parrot" is found in the rivers of Nigeria, Cameroon and other countries of West Africa.

The length of the miniature "parrots" rarely exceeds 8 cm, and the life expectancy is only 5 years. And the natural color in its decorativeness is much inferior to the artificial dyes and tattoos characteristic of Asian hybrids, making the fish inconspicuous.

In addition to the miniature parrot fish, there are also large species, such as green cone-shaped parrot fish. It belongs to the class of ray-winged squad-like squad and, in spite of the same name, has nothing to do with the cyclic "parrots".

Find out more about parrot fish in the video below.