Blood Parrot Colorations

[kramers]

Ok this is probably in the wrong section, but here goes. The other day while at my LFS, I noticed a tank with blood parrots. Most were of the more normal red-orange colors. One or two in particular were of a bright, almost neon pink. At first I though it might be the reflection of the gravel used in the tank, also neon pink. I asked the guy that was getting a couple of fish for me if that was their natural color. He wasn't certain, but was told that they were dyed, which pretty well peeved me. While doing a search of them, the parrots, one site I found said they can be of a pink color. Has anyone seen these or even had some like this. Any inputs would be appreciated as my wife has taken a fondness to them. Royce

 

[jarmado]

try this:
http/www.thinkfish.co.uk/fish/Parrot_Fish

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah I've seen pink ones twice. They look dyed to me, not 100% sure though. One shop was really nasty and dodgy so I wouldn't be at all surprised if they were dyed. But the other was a v reputable shop with excellent stock, I was shocked to see it there. We spent a while wondering if it was dyed

 

[kramers]

Thanks iJay. Seems like an interesting site. Miss W. I'm like you. We pondered a while over this one. The shop itself is rather clean. A little cramped, but clean. As of yet I haven't seen anything that has been dyed or anything here at this shop and hopefully won't as they are only one of a couple of shops here that actually have a broad assortment of fish.

 

[Griz]

I wouldn't judge too much based on the appearance/reputation of the shop unless you have a relationship with the owner or staff. I've seen dyed fish turn up in shops that totally surprised me. Hey, money talks I guess.

 

[valleyrich]

The natural pink color is more of a cotton candy pink. Neon pink is dyed And I agree with Griz. Even the most reputed LFS may at random change their minds and order the dyed fish. Or they may have had someone request them. Or they may have the same problem one of the LFS here has. They can't get the undyed Jellybean parrots from anywhere but me. There is one LFS here that when I talked to them about 18 months ago solidly refused to carry any hybrid or otherwise altered fish. I went in the other day for plants and low and behold there is an entire tank of dyed Blood Parrots! Talk about a turn around!

 

[OohFeeshy]

It's not nesseccarily the shop's fault, if they put in an order for parrots, if the supplier chucks imn some dyed ones, there's not a lot the shop can do about it except tell the supplier not to give them dyed fish.

 

[vancouver]

Any bright pink coloration on a parrot cichlid is most likely dyed.

Jellybean parrots are a very dull pink.. almost white color.

I bought a dyed green one sometime ago.

 

[valleyrich]

Female Jellybean Parrot. 6 years old in full breeding colors. Cotton candy pink with bright orange. I have seen some Bloods that were similar colors (naturally) but most often they are orange to black depending on age. Never are they born bright pink, blue, purple, or green. HTH.

OohFeeshy...... I have to agree with you. It's not always the shops fault. Sometimes it just happens. It's a shame that they aren't able to get these fish in their natural colors. Even when the shop wants the natural colors many of the suppliers only carry the dyed version. (or don't even mention the fish are dyed!) I wouldn't neccesarily ban an LFS just because they carry the dyed fish. But I would make sure they know what these fish went through.