How to Cure Parrot Cichlid Diseases

The Blood Parrot cichlid has become very popular in western society since its introduction in about 1990. They had previuosly been interbred into the hybrid we know today in the 80s by the Taiwanese. This fish has a notable beak shaped nose and are always a red color but varying in shade.

It was some years later that their popularity grew in western culture. The exact origins of this cichlid hybrid are not known though it is believed they are a result of cross breeding between different South American cichlids. Here are the diseases that Parrot cichlids are most prone to catching.

Black spot disease

This disease is usually very easy to spot as it results in largish black markings all over the fish. If you're looking to purchase and you see this DO NOT BUY. This disease is usually due to a problem with the water condition and can be fixed if you tend to it quickly. Black spots can also tell you that your fish is ready to breed. Black Spot Disease is thought to be a Blood Parrot specific parasite, although some believe it to be a generic defect caused through cross breeding.

Black Spot Disease will start to take over large parts of your fish's body so if you notice this then you have to check the water for excess nitrate and ammonia. These chemicals can kill Blood Parrots. The rapid spread of Black Spot Disease is a common way in which their stress can be exhibited. Black Spot Disease is not significantly harmful unless it begins to cover large areas of the fish's body. As it stands the Blood Parrot Cichlid is the only fish that gets black spot disease which could be due to the way the hybrid was bred.

Fin Rot

Fin rot is usually caused by one of 2 things. The water that they live in has gone stagnant. More than likely though this will be caused by aggressive behavior which must be monitored or else it may result in death. The symptoms are usually the fins turning white and curling out of shape.

Dropsy or Edema

Dropsy is a symptom as opposed to a disease and will show with swelling around the fish's abdomen giving the fish a cone like shape. Dropsy can be treated with Metronidazole if its spotted soon enough but usually if you're seeing the full blown symptoms then it is too late.

Hole-In-The-Head Disease

This disease can appear as open pitted wounds around the fish's head area and along the back bone. It can easily be mistaken for other fish attacking the victim as it is an open flesh type wound something is slowly eroding away the flesh. The fish become lethargic , stop eating and die if they are not treated soon enough.

Fish Tuberculosis

Fish Tuberculosis is a highly contagious disease and can quickly kill all the fish in an aquarium before you know it. in its worst stage the fish will get blister looking type sores which will break and infect all the other fish. This will cause the fish to slow right down and appear to have a bent back bone. It will then develop into pussy sores which then break and begin infecting the other fish. The only way to treat this is to quarentine the fish individually and dose with strong antibiotics howevr the cances of survival are very slim.