Kirin Parrots
Description
Common Names: Flowerhorn Parrots, Flowerhorn Blood Parrots, Kirin Parrot, Kirin Fish, Kilin Parrots, Killin Parrots.
Kirin Parrots, commonly called Flowerhorn Parrots, are a hybrid fish created from Flowerhorn and Blood Parrots. They are the result of a few generation of line breeding and are rarely seen from the first generation of fry from crossing Flowerhorn and Blood Parrots. Kirin Parrots have the body of a Blood Parrot with the colors and marking of a Flowerhorn. They are often mistaken as short body Flowerhorn but are not the same. There are fairly new to the hobby and aren't yet sold as mainstream as Blood Parrots are.
View attachment 812137
Tank Size
30 Gallons Minimum
Size and Growth
5-7" (12 - 17cm)
Water Condition
Temperature: 80 - 86F (26 - 30C)
pH: 6.0 - 8.5
Kirin Parrots should be kept a little warmer than you would keep other cichlids at. They thrive at temps around or over 80F(26C) and show colors better than lower temps.
Feeding
Feeding is the same as you would with your typical Cichlid. Although most having the typical Parrot shaped mouth, some might have trouble eating larger pellets so its recommended you soak them in water to soften them. Recommended pellet brands are Hikari Cichlid or New Life Spectrum Cichlid/Cichlasoma Formula 1 - 3mm depending on the size of the fish.
Social Behavior
Kirin Parrots typically have the same aggression levels as Blood Parrots as opposed to Flowerhorn which can be very aggressive. In smaller groups its possible to see aggression in smaller tanks. Given more room they seem to do better when in groups than in smaller tanks.
Sexual Differences
While its not 100% accurate, typically females will have a black spot on the dorsal fin. Most accurate way is to vent them.
View attachment 812138
Breeding
Kirin Parrots will start breeding around 2-3" size. Most females are fertile and can breed with any Central American Cichlid and get viable spawns. It is unknown the fertility of male Kirin Parrots. They are considerably more fertile than male Blood Parrots but any exact numbers are unknown.
Identifying Kirin from Flowerhorn
Some wholesale have been selling Bonsai Flowerhorn as Kirin Parrots. The easiest way to tell if you have Kirin or Flowerhorn is the head and face area. Kirin Parrots should have the notched head like Blood Parrots and typically have the Parrot mouth.
Flowerhorn
View attachment 812341
View attachment 812342
Kirin Parrot
View attachment 812343
View attachment 812344
View attachment 812345
View attachment 812137
View attachment 812138
View attachment 812341
View attachment 812342
View attachment 812343
View attachment 812344
View attachment 812345
