Tank mates for blood parrot cichlids

We checked blood parrot cichlids against all 149 other species in our database for water temperature, pH, size, fin nipping, predation and aggression.

Good tank mates for blood parrot cichlids include betta fish, nerite snail, bristlenose pleco, assassin snail, ramshorn snail and malaysian trumpet snail. Avoid cherry shrimp, common goldfish and fancy goldfish: blood parrot cichlid eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.

Blood parrot cichlids: 24–27°C (75–81°F), pH 6.5–7.5, adult size 20 cm (7.9 in), minimum tank 55 gallons (208 L). Full blood parrot cichlid care guide.

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Good Compatible tank mates (29)

Shared water conditions and no known conflict. Still add fish slowly and watch them.

Caution Possible, with care (94)

These can work in the right setup, but there is a real risk. Read the reason first.

Angelfish · 29+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase angelfish, which use the same area.
Bronze corydoras · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller bronze corydoras.
Dwarf gourami · 15+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf gouramis.
Guppy · 10+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller guppies.
Neon tetra · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Blood parrot cichlid may eat neon tetras, especially young or small ones.
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller neon tetras.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase neon tetras, which use the same area.
Oscar · 75+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase oscars, which use the same area.
- Oscar defends its patch of the tank and may chase blood parrot cichlids, which use the same area.
Panda corydoras · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller panda corydoras.
Tiger barb · 29+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase tiger barbs, which use the same area.
Zebra danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller zebra danios.
African dwarf frog · 10+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller African dwarf frogs.
Amano shrimp · 10+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid hunts shrimp. Larger amano shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Bala shark · 230+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase bala sharks, which use the same area.
Black skirt tetra · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller black skirt tetras.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase black skirt tetras, which use the same area.
Boesemani rainbowfish · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase boesemani rainbowfish, which use the same area.
Cardinal tetra · 15+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller cardinal tetras.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase cardinal tetras, which use the same area.
Cherry barb · 15+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller cherry barbs.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase cherry barbs, which use the same area.
Chinese algae eater · 80+ gal
- Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Blood parrot cichlids can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
Denison barb · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase denison barbs, which use the same area.
Dwarf neon rainbowfish · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf neon rainbowfish.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase dwarf neon rainbowfish, which use the same area.
German blue ram · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 27–27°C).
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller German blue rams.
Ghost shrimp · 10+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid hunts shrimp. Larger ghost shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Glowlight tetra · 15+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller glowlight tetras.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase glowlight tetras, which use the same area.
Harlequin rasbora · 15+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller harlequin rasboras.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase harlequin rasboras, which use the same area.
Hillstream loach · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller hillstream loaches.
Honey gourami · 10+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller honey gouramis.
Jack Dempsey · 55+ gal
- Jack Dempsey is aggressive. Blood parrot cichlids can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
Julii corydoras · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller julii corydoras.
Kuhli loach · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller kuhli loaches.
Molly · 29+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase mollies, which use the same area.
Otocinclus · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller otocinclus.
Peppered corydoras · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller peppered corydoras.
Pictus catfish · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Platy · 15+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller platies.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase platies, which use the same area.
Rosy barb · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller rosy barbs.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase rosy barbs, which use the same area.
Rummy-nose tetra · 29+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller rummy-nose tetras.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase rummy-nose tetras, which use the same area.
Silver dollar · 75+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase silver dollars, which use the same area.
Sterbai corydoras · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller sterbai corydoras.
X-ray tetra · 15+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller x-ray tetras.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase x-ray tetras, which use the same area.
Bamboo shrimp · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid hunts shrimp. Larger bamboo shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Black neon tetra · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller black neon tetras.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase black neon tetras, which use the same area.
Black phantom tetra · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller black phantom tetras.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase black phantom tetras, which use the same area.
Bleeding heart tetra · 29+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller bleeding heart tetras.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase bleeding heart tetras, which use the same area.
Bloodfin tetra · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller bloodfin tetras.
Bolivian ram · 29+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller Bolivian rams.
Buenos Aires tetra · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase buenos Aires tetras, which use the same area.
Bumblebee catfish · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller bumblebee catfish.
Clown killifish · 10+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid may eat clown killifish, especially young or small ones.
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller clown killifish.
Clown pleco · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller clown plecos.
Congo tetra · 40+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller Congo tetras.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase Congo tetras, which use the same area.
Diamond tetra · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller diamond tetras.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase diamond tetras, which use the same area.
Dwarf chain loach · 29+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf chain loaches.
Dwarf orange crayfish · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Blood parrot cichlid may attack small crustaceans like dwarf orange crayfish, especially after they molt.
Emerald green corydoras · 55+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller emerald green corydoras.
Emperor tetra · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller emperor tetras.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase emperor tetras, which use the same area.
Forktail blue-eye · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller forktail blue-eyes.
Gardneri killifish · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase gardneri killifish, which use the same area.
Giant danio · 55+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Glass catfish · 29+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller glass catfish.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase glass catfish, which use the same area.
Gold barb · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller gold barbs.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase gold barbs, which use the same area.
Green terror · 80+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase green terrors, which use the same area.
- Green terror is aggressive. Blood parrot cichlids can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
- Green terror defends its patch of the tank and may chase blood parrot cichlids, which use the same area.
Head and tail light tetra · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller head and tail light tetras.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase head and tail light tetras, which use the same area.
Jewel cichlid · 40+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase jewel cichlids, which use the same area.
- Jewel cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase blood parrot cichlids, which use the same area.
Lambchop rasbora · 15+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid may eat lambchop rasboras, especially young or small ones.
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller lambchop rasboras.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase lambchop rasboras, which use the same area.
Lemon tetra · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller lemon tetras.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase lemon tetras, which use the same area.
Marbled hatchetfish · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid may eat marbled hatchetfish, especially young or small ones.
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller marbled hatchetfish.
Odessa barb · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller odessa barbs.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase odessa barbs, which use the same area.
Panda garra · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller panda garras.
Paradise fish · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
Peacock gudgeon · 15+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller peacock gudgeons.
Penguin tetra · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller penguin tetras.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase penguin tetras, which use the same area.
Red rainbowfish · 40+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase red rainbowfish, which use the same area.
Rosy tetra · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller rosy tetras.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase rosy tetras, which use the same area.
Rubber lip pleco · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Scissortail rasbora · 55+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Serpae tetra · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase serpae tetras, which use the same area.
Severum · 55+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase severums, which use the same area.
- Severum defends its patch of the tank and may chase blood parrot cichlids, which use the same area.
Sparkling gourami · 10+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid may eat sparkling gouramis, especially young or small ones.
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller sparkling gouramis.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase sparkling gouramis, which use the same area.
Swordtail · 29+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase swordtails, which use the same area.
Thai micro crab · 5+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid may attack small crustaceans like Thai micro crabs, especially after they molt.
Threadfin rainbowfish · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller threadfin rainbowfish.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase threadfin rainbowfish, which use the same area.
Tinfoil barb · 200+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase tinfoil barbs, which use the same area.
Turquoise rainbowfish · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase turquoise rainbowfish, which use the same area.
Upside-down catfish · 29+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller upside-down catfish.
Vampire shrimp · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid hunts shrimp. Larger vampire shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Zebra loach · 29+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller zebra loaches.
Zebra pleco · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–27°C).
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller zebra plecos.
Black ruby barb · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller black ruby barbs.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase black ruby barbs, which use the same area.
Checkerboard barb · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller checkerboard barbs.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase checkerboard barbs, which use the same area.
Glowlight danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- Blood parrot cichlid may eat glowlight danios, especially young or small ones.
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller glowlight danios.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase glowlight danios, which use the same area.
Keyhole cichlid · 29+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase keyhole cichlids, which use the same area.
Pearl danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller pearl danios.
Silvertip tetra · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller silvertip tetras.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase silvertip tetras, which use the same area.
Thick-lipped gourami · 20+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller thick-lipped gouramis.
Variatus platy · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller variatus platies.
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase variatus platies, which use the same area.

Avoid Bad tank mates (26)

Cherry shrimp: Blood parrot cichlid eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Blood parrot cichlid 24–27°C (75–81°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Blood parrot cichlid 24–27°C (75–81°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
Celestial pearl danio: Blood parrot cichlid can eat celestial pearl danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Chili rasbora: Blood parrot cichlid can eat chili rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Discus: They need different temperatures: Blood parrot cichlid 24–27°C (75–81°F), discus 28–30°C (82–86°F).
Dojo loach: They need different temperatures: Blood parrot cichlid 24–27°C (75–81°F), dojo loach 18–23°C (64–73°F).
Electric yellow cichlid: Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Blood parrot cichlids don't belong in that setup.
Ember tetra: Blood parrot cichlid can eat ember tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Pea puffer: Blood parrot cichlid can eat pea puffers: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. Pea puffer is best kept in a species-only tank.
Peacock cichlid: Peacock cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Blood parrot cichlids don't belong in that setup.
Pygmy corydoras: Blood parrot cichlid can eat pygmy corydoras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Red zebra cichlid: Red zebra cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Blood parrot cichlids don't belong in that setup.
White cloud mountain minnow: They need different temperatures: Blood parrot cichlid 24–27°C (75–81°F), white cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F).
Crystal red shrimp: Blood parrot cichlid eats small shrimp like crystal red shrimp.
Demasoni cichlid: Demasoni cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Blood parrot cichlids don't belong in that setup.
Endler's livebearer: Blood parrot cichlid can eat Endler's livebearers: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Frontosa: Frontosa is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 8–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Blood parrot cichlids don't belong in that setup.
Kubotai rasbora: Blood parrot cichlid can eat kubotai rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Rosy loach: Blood parrot cichlid can eat rosy loaches: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Scarlet badis: Blood parrot cichlid can eat scarlet badis: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Shell dweller cichlid: Shell dweller cichlid is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Blood parrot cichlids don't belong in that setup.
Dwarf rasbora: Blood parrot cichlid can eat dwarf rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Flame tetra: Blood parrot cichlid can eat flame tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Green neon tetra: Blood parrot cichlid can eat green neon tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Least killifish: Blood parrot cichlid can eat least killifish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.

Frequently asked questions

What fish can live with blood parrot cichlids?

Good tank mates for blood parrot cichlids include betta fish, nerite snail, bristlenose pleco, assassin snail, ramshorn snail and malaysian trumpet snail. They need similar water and won't fight with or eat blood parrot cichlids.

Can blood parrot cichlids live with angelfish?

Sometimes, with care. Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase angelfish, which use the same area.

Can blood parrot cichlids live with bettas?

Yes. They share similar water needs (24–27°C (75–81°F)) and peaceful temperaments.

Can blood parrot cichlids live with bristlenose plecos?

Yes. They share similar water needs (24–26°C (75–79°F)) and peaceful temperaments.

Can blood parrot cichlids live with bronze corydoras?

Sometimes, with care. Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller bronze corydoras.

How we decide: we compare each pair's comfortable temperature, pH and hardness ranges, adult sizes, mouth size (who can eat whom), fin nipping, aggression and territory. Read the full method. Data last reviewed 2026-10-13.

Tank mates for blood parrot cichlids

Good Compatible tank mates (29)

Betta fish

Bristlenose pleco

Common pleco

Nerite snail

Assassin snail

Clown loach

Convict cichlid

Electric blue acara

Firemouth cichlid

Kribensis

Malaysian trumpet snail

Mystery snail

Pearl gourami

Rainbow shark

Ramshorn snail

Red-tail shark

Senegal bichir

Siamese algae eater

Three spot gourami

Yoyo loach

African butterfly fish

Agassiz's dwarf cichlid

Black ghost knifefish

Cockatoo cichlid

Golden wonder killifish

Kissing gourami

Rabbit snail

Ropefish

Moonlight gourami

Caution Possible, with care (94)

Avoid Bad tank mates (26)

Frequently asked questions