Something like Blood Parrots...

[Ruben Tolon]

I am someone who adores the B.P,. hybrid?, isn't that just another name for a mutt? Like a labradoddle or a heinz 57?

A mutt is still the same species as a pure breed dog. BP's are a mix of various species somewhere along the way in its development. I personally don't knowingly purchase (or breed) hybrid fish, but I'm not opposed to people doing so. I'm more opposed to things like BP, balloon mollies, and things of that nature that have unnatural physical shape regardless of whether it's a hybrid or not (as in goldfish).

 

[severum mama]

I would NEVER consider the blood parrot to be *handicapped* by all means; it can be a pretty agressive fish and easily holds its own in a larger community tank.

Just because it cant close its mouth doesnt mean its unhappy or in pain.

As someone whose 2 BPs are nearly 5 years old, I can tell you that this is absolutely true! Mine do just fine with a large severum, an adult firemouth, a dwarf green pike cichlid, 3 botia modesta, and a big 'ol rainbow shark in a 75 gallon. They have survived ALL the noob mistakes, everything from improper cycling to ich to inappropriate tank size, and they are both large and robust.

Regarding tank size, I've grown out my juvies in a 29, then a 30 long, then a 45, but I'd really recommend that this fish be kept in a minimum of 50 gallons (36x18), preferably a 55 gallon (48x18), when it gets a little bulk on it. A 75 is much better if you plan to keep other fish with it, but it is not necessary as some people will tell you.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

If you can afford to have a large enough tank...Oscars are considered by some to be one of the most pet like fish you can have. Some of them even like to be petted! Definitely do some serious research on Oscars before purchasing though...they get very large, are messy eaters, tear up plants, and have limited tank mate options.

 

[lucky777ca]

I think mules are the same thing, a sterile hybrid of the horse and the donkey (apparently not for the female, after looking it up)?

Anyways, the personality and the sociability of the fish depends on the individual. My brother's blood parrot is shy when kept alone. I did add zebra danios, but the BP was fast enough to eat one in the day (... or smart enough to wait until nightfall...). I'm not sure when it ate one of the four danios.

 

[spirals]

I love playing with the Blood Parrots and the Oscars at work. They will follow your finger around the tank or "stand on their tail" for food if you hold it just above the tank. The only thing I always warn about with Oscars is they get really huge (10" or so) and are messy and I wouldn't recommend getting one for less than a 55G tank. Blood Parrots are a little smaller ( I believe 6"?) so there's a little more option for tank size.
The argument I've always heard when I present the mule example is that the mule doesn't reproduce while hybrid fish can, I dunno...I still don't really see why this is a big deal, short of "humans playing god" and "its not natural". I mean, even when we have species breeding humans make some pretty f'd up things, like little kittens with legs so short they literally can't walk, or "teacup" kittens who never grow larger than like, a pound. At least with Blood Parrots or even Glo-fish they still seem healthy and happy in their environments.

 

[severum mama]

Oscars can actually get from 12-14 inches, provided they are given adequate tank space, clean water, and a good diet.

Parrots are smaller than oscars. I'd guess that 6 inches is about average, and I have one that is around 6 inches, maybe a little bigger. The other one is at least 7 inches!

 

[BlueJax]

There are a zillion cichlid species that will follow your hand around the front of a tank for food. I have a dwarf cichlid tank in my office and every time I walk into the room every last one of my dwarfs comes right to the front of the tank to say hi (i.e. feed me).

If it's a pet type fish you want then many of the larger Central American species make great 'pets' who will respond to their owners (Jaguars, Jack Dempseys etc). This is less true of the South American species, although Oscars are a notable exception. In fact any of the species that supposedly went into creating the blood parrot (e.g. Severum, A. citrinellum, A. labiatum) would be a good approximation of a blood parrot (although severums are less psychotic).

If you want a fish just like a blood parrot then you may as well buy a blood parrot, just for God's sake don't buy a dyed one, or one selectively bred to have no tail. Pick carefully and you could well end up with a beautiful fish (if you like that sort of thing).

The only real problem with blood parrots is that no-one knows what they are a hybrid of. It's really important that hybrids are labeled correctly so that people know what they are buying. There's no real problem with people keeping hybrids, providing they know what they are and keep them responsibly. Problems only arise when unscrupulous hybrid owners try to sell them on as pure species or, even worse, as new species. This is gross misinformation and in my opinion such people need a good slap.