True parrot cichlid

Care at a glance

Overview

A single adult or pair needs a tank of at least 570 liters at 26 to 30 C and pH 4.5 to 6.8, with soft, warm, spotless water. Provide wood, leaf litter, and open swimming space. Feed quality pellets and frozen foods, and keep the tank very clean. It is a shy giant that is mostly peaceful but eats small fish.

In the wild

The true parrot cichlid lives in blackwater rivers of the Rio Negro and upper Orinoco in Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela. It occupies soft, acidic, tannin-stained flooded forest and slow shallows. This is a large, slow-growing fish that is sensitive to water quality. It needs warm, soft, very clean water to do well.

Good to know

Hoplarchus psittacus was described by Heckel in 1840 and is the only species in its genus. Adults reach about 35 cm and show an emerald and turquoise body with red speckling and a red eye. It is a genuine blackwater specialist and should not be confused with the man-made blood parrot hybrid.

Common questions

Related species

• 

  Severum

  Heros efasciatus

  11.8 in (30 cm) · 65 gal (245 L)

  11.8 in (30 cm)65 gal (245 L)72–84°F (22–29°C)

• 

  Spotted severum

  Heros notatus

  11.8 in (30 cm) · 58 gal (220 L)

  11.8 in (30 cm)58 gal (220 L)72–84°F (22–29°C)

• 

  Congo coptodon

  Coptodon congica

  9.8 in (25 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)

  9.8 in (25 cm)106 gal (400 L)77–86°F (25–30°C)

• 

  Blue zaire frontosa

  Cyphotilapia gibberosa

  13.8 in (35 cm) · 119 gal (450 L)

  13.8 in (35 cm)119 gal (450 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Blackcap coptodon

  Coptodon discolor

  9.1 in (23 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)

  9.1 in (23 cm)106 gal (400 L)77–86°F (25–30°C)

• 

  Panda uaru

  Uaru fernandezyepezi

  9.1 in (23 cm) · 159 gal (600 L)

  9.1 in (23 cm)159 gal (600 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)