Description
Amphilophus labiatus x Heros severus
pH: of 6.5 – 8
dH: of 5 – 10o
temp: 72 – 82F
Originally from South America, this fish is a man-made hybrid of unknown origins.
This New World Parrot Cichlid is a freshwater aquarium fish that will grow anywhere from 3 – 8” when full grown. Jellybean Parrots will grow a max of 4″.. Parrot Cichlids have become common throughout temperate regions of the United States. It appears to be a cross of a South American cichlid, a Central American cichlid, & a Red Devil. Originally orange in color, the natural colors have evolved to range anywhere from orange to red to purple.
The Jellybean colors are not natural as these are dyed fish. Invented in Taiwan in 1986, young fish are usually an albino variety which is chemically treated to strip the protective slime coat. They are then “painted” with a dye and given another bath in a solution to stimulate the slime coat to grow back over the dye. It varies from fish to fish but the color on most Jellybean Parrots will change and fade over time as these are not a permanent color.