Pelvikiromis Pulcher or fish parrot

In the world of aquarium fish, the Pelvikiromis Pulcher, also called the "Parrot Cichlid," is a visually arresting and fascinating fish. This species, which is native to the rivers of West Africa, is distinguished by its vivid colors and unusual appearance that resemble the rich tones of a parrot’s feathers. With its vivid green, blue, and yellow tones, it’s a favorite among aquarium hobbyists who want to give their tanks a pop of color.

The Parrot Cichlid, so named because of its unusual shape that resembles a parrot’s beak, is one of its most recognizable characteristics. This fascinating form affects their eating patterns and general behavior; it’s not just for show. These fish are well-known for being lively and inquisitive, frequently interacting with their surroundings and the other fish in their aquarium.

Pelvikiromis Pulcher are aesthetically pleasing fish that are also reasonably resilient and versatile, so they are a good option for both beginning and seasoned fish keepers. With proper care and conditions, they can flourish and become the focal point of any freshwater aquarium arrangement. Consider the Parrot Cichlid as the ideal addition to your tank if you want to add a little exotic charm.

Common Name	Parrot Cichlid
Scientific Name	Pelvikiromis Pulcher
Size	Up to 6 inches (15 cm)
Origin	Africa
Water Temperature	75-82°F (24-28°C)
pH Range	6.5-7.5
Tank Size	Minimum 30 gallons
Diet	Omnivorous, pellets, live or frozen foods
Behavior	Generally peaceful, can be territorial

The habitat of pelvicromis

Benin, Nigeria, and Cameroon are among the West African river biotopes where the slow-moving water is found.

Description of pelvicromis

Pelvikiromis is a dwarf cichlid fish that has a vibrant color and is easy to remove from the water. This makes them a favorite among those with small aquariums or those who dislike big fish. Adult females are no longer than 7.5 cm, and adult males are no longer than 10 cm.

It only takes a quick look to realize why the fish was given the name "Popugaychik Fish." The fish’s name is translated from Latin as "pelva," which means stomach, "chromis," which means color, and "Pulcher," which means beautiful (beautiful).

Shorter fins, a broader yellow stripe on the upper dorsal fin, and a rounded abdomen that turns bright red or purple during the spawning season are characteristics of the female pelvicachromis. The fins of males are longer, thinner, and have noticeable dark dots at the end. Males have less glossy colors overall, especially on the belly.

The fish has a broad, dark stripe that runs from its nose to its tail. The scales glimmer with blue lights in the light beams. It is red in the ventral fins. Dark round spots and a yellow border adorn the dorsal and caudal fins. The mood frequently affects the color’s intensity.

There are other species besides Pelvicachromis pulcher. Many species, including natural and selective morphs, of pelvicachromis are now available for purchase. These are a few of them.

Pelvicachromis taeniatus, the striped or changeable parrot, Boulenger, 1901.

Pelmatochromis klugei Meinken, I960; P. klugei Boulenger, 1911; P. kribensis var. calliptera; P. kribensis klugei Meinken, 1965 are synonyms.

There are roughly five natural color morphs in a variable species:

The male’s abdomen is yellow, bluish to greenish, and its scales on the upper body have a dark border. The male’s color ranges from olive to golden yellow. The body has a dark stripe running through it. The dorsal fin has a border of red and white and is yellow to red in color. The base color of the pelvic and anal fins is reddish-blue to dark blue, followed by purple. The caudal fin has a black and red border, 2-4 black dots, and purple-blue shading on the lower half.

The female has a bluish-purple belly, 1-2 black spots on the dorsal fin, and a rounded tail with 1-2 black spots on the upper part.

Length of body: 9 cm.

Water parameters for aquariums: pH 5.4–7.5, dH 3–20, and t 20–25 C.

Habitat: Cameroon, Nigeria (Niger Delta).

Yellow-bellied Pelvicachromis humilis, Boulenger, 1916

Male beige-gray with seven to eight brown stripes running the length of the body, a red border around the unpaired fins, and yellow gill covers and abdomen.

The female has a border along the top of the tail, turquoise gills, and a red abdomen.

13 cm is the length of the body.

Water parameters for aquariums: t 24–27 C, pH 5.0–7.5, dH 0–12.

Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Southeast Guinea are the habitat.

Pelvicachromis aureocephalus, Meinken, 1960

Males have a yellowish color, greenish-golden head and gill covers, and a blackish stripe running from the eyes to the tail. The dorsal fin’s back half is intensely red, while the base is a dark yellow-olive color with a metallic sheen and dark red strokes pointing in the direction of the fin rays. The tail has four black spots with a red border, the ventral fins are light blue, and the anal fin is soft purple.

Females have glossy golden heads and gill covers, with a reddish-purple spot on their abdomens.

10 cm is the length of the body.

Water parameters for aquariums: t 24–27 C, pH 5.0–7.5, dH 0–12.

Nigeria is the habitat.

The Parrot Cichlid, or Pelvicachromis pulcher, is a colorful and eye-catching fish that is perfect for home aquariums. Aquarium enthusiasts often choose this species because of its easy maintenance requirements and eye-catching colors and playful behavior. Any freshwater tank can benefit from the Parrot Cichlid’s unique appearance and tranquil nature, which can add beauty and intrigue.

Pelvicachromis camerunensis, 1962

Identical in color to Pelvicachromis pulcher when imported. Males have blood-red abdomens, chests, and gill covers that extend to their lips during the spawning season. The tail’s lower portion has a yellowish hue. There are three light transverse stripes in the upper body, and a dark stripe runs the length of the body. Males have red ventral fins with a blue edge.

Nine to twelve months of age. An aquarium can last up to eight years.

10 cm is the length of the body.

The aquarium’s water parameters are: t 22–26 C; pH 6.0–7.8; dH 6–20.

Southern Nigerian forest waters serve as the habitat.

Roloff"s parrot (Pelvicachromis roloffi), Thys van den Audenaerde, 1968

Male: belly light, back gray-brown, light purple. Depending on the health of the fish, a dark stripe may run along its body. Unpaired fins are yellow-brown; the dorsal has multiple dark spots; the anal has a dark border; and the tail has a dark spot.

Female: crimson abdomen, grayish-brown with a hint of purple. Orange unpaired fins; tail has three to four black dots surrounded by white. Pelvic fins are dark.

An aquarium can survive for up to four years.

Length of body: 9 cm.

The aquarium’s water parameters are as follows: t 24–27 C, pH 5.0–7.5, and dH 0–12.

Habitat: Liberia, eastern Guinea, Sierra Leone.

Reticulated pelmatochromis (Pelvicachromis subocellatus), Gunther, 1871

Male, yellow-gray in color, with a dark mesh covering his body. Pelvic fins are black, while pectoral fins are yellow-colored. portion of the caudal fin upper surface bordered in red. The caudal fin’s lower section and dorsal fin are both red. Every scale has a red edge.

The female has unpaired fins with golden streaks, is smaller and fuller, and is colored yellowish. Wine-red are the pelvic fins and abdomen. Cook in yellow-brown.

10 cm is the length of the body.

Water parameters for aquariums: t 23–27 C, pH 6.5–7.5, dH 5–20.

Habitat: West Africa, extending from Gabon to the Congo River mouth.

Pelvikachromis red-lipped (P. rubrolabiatus)

Pelvikachromis sylviae (P. silviae)

Pelvikachromis black-spotted (P. signatus)

Albino morph of Pelvicachromis

Males with natural coloring prefer albino females for mating, and all females prefer naturally colored males, according to albino owners. Experts surmise that albino females exhibit a red belly more prominently than other females, which is indicative of a male magnetism in females ready for reproduction.

Conditions for keeping pelvicachromis

Pelvicachromis are utterly inconspicuous. They are from Africa, where there are wide variations in the water’s composition. For example, the water in the Niger Delta is slightly brackish, more alkaline, and much harder than the water in the streams that feed it, whereas the water in the lowlands is dark in color, acidic, and very soft.

In this sense, you should ask the seller about the water parameters in the aquarium where the fish were raised in order to ascertain the parameters of acidity and water hardness for the fish you purchased with the greatest degree of accuracy.

It is essential to use dark colored sand or fine gravel up to 3 mm in size when keeping Pelvicachromis, and to fill the aquarium to a height of 3.5 to 5 cm.

50 liters is the minimum volume required; 80 or more is advised. The aquarium’s size is crucial, particularly if you plan to breed and expand. You require caves for shelter.

You can use stones of the right shape adhered together with silicone or filters and super glue, for example, to create caves.

The cave ought to be compact, with just one entrance and little light leakage. You can also use plastic tubes, coconut shells, driftwood, and chemical-free clay or ceramic pots with smooth edges as an alternative material. When working with PVC pipes, a lengthy section must be cut off and fixed into the substrate. Additionally, you must make an entrance by breaking off a small piece of the coconut shell before placing it on its side and pressing it against the substrate when using coconut shells.

Although live plants are beneficial and provide good cover, it’s important to remember that fish can sift through plant roots. Plastic aquarium plants are quite easy to use. For instance, you can frequently find surprise plants from the Laguna company in pet stores. These plants are ideal for adorning an aquarium that holds large cichlid fish.

Do not forget about regular weekly replacement of 25-30% of water, especially with dense planting. Filtration and aeration are mandatory. The most important thing is that the aquarium does not have excessive concentrations of nitrogen compounds and phosphates. This is the main problem for fish that beginners allow. Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphates are the root cause of diseases and death of pets. Every conscientious aquarist should always have a set of drop tests on hand, at least for nitrate and phosphate. Fortunately, they have now become inexpensive, there are no problems with their assortment and acquisition. In the stores of your city – offline, you can find inexpensive Vladox tests.

When changing water, it would be helpful to use solutions that neutralize dangerous substances and use clean water. For example, Tetra AquaSafe eliminates heavy metals and chlorine compounds while also including B vitamins, iodine, and other beneficial ingredients for aquariums. That is, you can use it to fill the aquarium with water without worrying about endangering your cherished pets.

The reputable FF online retailer Aqua Logo Shop is where you can buy the medications, gear, and other helpful items for an aquarist that were mentioned above. We advise against it!

Remember that abrupt changes in the water’s chemical composition stress fish, and stress makes fish one of the primary hosts of pathogens.

Compatibility of pelvicachromis

If you plan to keep pelvicachromis in a communal aquarium, be selective about your neighbors. They should be calm and agile, and above all, they shouldn’t take up any of the pelvic caves, which should be plentiful for all. We can suggest gourami, characins, barbs, danios, rasboras, corydoras, and different kinds of West African native cichlids as neighbors.

Keeping pelvics ancistrus and other loricariids is definitely not worth it, as they also enjoy hiding and spawning in tubes, coconuts, and pots.

Pelvicachromis swim fast and can be aggressive, just like any other cichlid. This is especially true during the spawning season. Refrain from packing the aquarium too full.

What to feed pelvicachromis

Providing food to parrot fish is an easy task. On the other hand, the secret to your fish’s wellbeing is a varied diet. Remember that fish prefer to swim close to the bottom, so using food that sinks is not unnecessary. We advise utilizing Tetra’s premium food products.

It should be mentioned that when purchasing any dry food, you should be mindful of the manufacture and expiration dates, avoid purchasing food in large quantities, and store it in a closed environment to prevent the growth of harmful flora.

Aquarium enthusiasts will find Pelvikiromis Pulcher, also referred to as the parrot cichlid, to be an intriguing option. It stands out as a unique addition to any tank because of its vivid colors. This species will give your aquatic setup dynamic movement because of its playful and active nature.

Paying attention to the unique needs of the parrot cichlid is essential to its care. To keep the fish healthy and thriving, make sure your tank is well-maintained and has plenty of space. For its wellbeing, a well-balanced diet and ideal water conditions are necessary.

All things considered, the Pelvikiromis Pulcher gives an aquarium both beauty and personality. This fish can be a durable and entertaining addition to your aquatic ecosystem given the right care and surroundings.

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