Super King Kong Parrots/Giant King Kong Parrots (SKKPS)

Super King Kong Parrot Cichlid

 

Description

 

Common Names: Super King Kong Parrot Cichlid, Red/Yellow Super King Kong Parrot, Giant Parrot Cichlid, etc.

The Super King Kong Parrot Cichlid is a hybrid fish that was first created in Taiwan in the mid to late 1980's. Its parentage has been highly disputed, but the most commonly speculated pairings are Midas Cichlid (Amphilophus Citrinellus) or Red Devil (Amphilophus Labiatus) with the Redhead Cichlid (Vieja Synspilum). This pairing has been back by the out come of a few different pairing and the resulting fry coming out as early Parrot Cichlids. The Taiwanese Department of Zoology also acknowledges that his is the true parentage of the Blood Parrot. One common misconception is that the are the result of Severum (Heros Severus) crossed with the Red Devil Cichlid (Amphilophus Labiatus).

 

Super King Kong Parrots have a round body, a beak shaped head with an upside down triangle mouth. They are often seen in bright orange in coloration, but seen in other colors such as red, yellow, brown, and tan. Other colors have been produced such as green, blue, and purple by dyeing the fish, which shortens life expectancy.

Tank Size:

55 Gallon Minimum for King Kong Parrots
75 Gallon Minimum for Red Mammon

A good rule of thumb is 30 gallon for one and 10 more gallons for each additional Blood Parrot. As with any fish, the bigger the tank the better.

 

Size & Growth:

 

6 - 13inches (15 - 33cm)

 

Super King Kong Parrots grow slow when compared to other Central American Cichlids or Flowerhorn. Once they hit 4-5" their growth slows further. They typically can live anywhere from 5 - 15 years depending on the care given to them and other genetic factors.

When Super King Kong Parrots are small they may show a tan/brown body color with black spots near the tail. These are unpeeled juveniles that should peel to orange/yellow as it grows.

Some may never peel to orange/yellow and stray tan/brown. Lots of Parrots like this are usually sold cheaper than the normal orange ones at places.

Water Condition

 

Temperature: 76 - 86F (24 - 30C)

pH: 6.0 - 8.5

 

Temperatures should be between 76 - 86F (24 - 30C) but the ideal temperature should be between 80 - 84F (24 - 29C). Temperatures lower than 80F (24C) seems to cause them to be more reclusive and cause the color to be more pale. The ideal pH should be between 7.0 - 8.0.

 

Feeding

 

Super King Kong Parrots enjoy pelleted foods with occasional Blood Worm and Shrimp treats. A smaller pellet size should be used due to their mouths. Recommended pellet brands are Hikari Cichlid or New Life Spectrum Cichlid/Cichlasoma Formula 1 - 3mm depending on the size of the fish.

 

Feeding can sometimes be tricky as some have more deformed mouths than others or gill curl or other gill deformities. If the Parrot has trouble feeding from the surface then it is recommended to switch to a sinking pellet. You can also soak the pellets in water to soften them which are much easier to grab.

 

Thawed shelled peas should be fed once a week to add ruffa.ge to the diet to help prevent Swim Bladder problems.

 

Social Behavior

 

Super King Kong Parrots, especially when young, can be very shy and reclusive. Its typical for them to hide when you first bring them home to hide and/or be very skittish and can take a few weeks for them to adjust to their new surroundings. Some ways for you to help them adjust is to make sure they have several hiding spots and adding some dither fish. Removing hiding spots will only make them more shy and could take longer for them to adjust.

 

Super King Kong Parrots like all Central American Cichlids are territorial and not typically suitable for small community fish. If it fits in their mouth or close then they will try to eat it. Given the proper tank Blood Parrots typically get along fine with most Central and Southern American Cichlids although large overly aggressive cichlids should be avoided as tankmates or house with caution.

 

Due to Super King Kong Parrots deformed mouths they cannot cause much damage to other fish although recently low quality Blood Parrots are being produced to sell at cheaper prices that do not have the deformed mouth and they can do damage.

 

Health Issues

 

Stress Spots: This is usually mistaken for Neascus (Black spot disease). Super King Kong Parrots sometimes get Stress Spots which are black splotches on the body or fins and this is caused by stress. This is typically present you bring them home but can also show up when in cases of shyness, bullying, breeding, illness, or sometimes nothing at all. The splotches will usually disappear after awhile once the problem is taken care of.

Swim Bladder Issues:

They show an abnormal swimming pattern, may even float upside down or appear to be stuck at the surface of the water, being unable to swim down, or they may lie on the bottom, unable to rise. Fish with a swim bladder disorder will continue to try and feed, showing a normal appetite. This is usually caused by a poor diet.

 

To prevent this from happening it is recommended to feed shelled peas once a week for that days meals. This can also help with mild cases.

 

You can also ad 1Tbsp per 5 gallons of Epsom salt to the tank.

 

For severe cases add 1 Tbsp per gallon of Epsom Salt into a container of water. Place the fish in the Epsom Salt bath for 20 - 30 minutes. This can be done twice a day.

 

Sexual Differences

 

Super King Kong Parrots are not sexually dimorphic which means you can not look at one and be able to sex it. The only proper why to tell the gender is to vent them.

Breeding

 

Super King Kong Parrots will start to pair off and breed around 2 - 3" (5 - 7.5cm). Nearly all male Super King Kong Parrots are sterile which means they can not fertilize the eggs. Female Super King Kong Parrots Parrots however can cross with any male Central American Cichlid or any Hybrid Central American Cichlid and the eggs be viable. South American Cichlid (except Cichlasoma Festae) and African Cichlid can not cross with female Super King Kong Parrots Parrots.

 

If the eggs turn white then they are no good and should be removed to prevent dirtying the water. Good eggs should turn tan with a black dot and hatch after 2-4 depending on water temperature.