King Kong parrots are one of the most beautiful fish species in the fishkeeping industry. However, they’re not only popular for their beautiful looks but there is a lot of confusion about their lineage. Let’s not forget about the ethical dilemma associated with raising them.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about King Kong parrots, and how to care for them.
Let’s begin with a brief intro!
Quick Facts On King Kong Parrot Cichlids
| Common Name | King Kong Parrot |
| Origin | Taiwan |
| Size | 8-9 inches |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Temperament | Semi-permanent |
| Temperature | 70-82degF (21-28degC) |
| pH range | 6.5-8.5 |
| Lighting | Moderate |
King kong parrots are not naturally found. These fish, just like flowerhorns, are artificial hybrids.
They were first bred from Central and South American Species in Taiwan in 1986.
There are many theories about how cichlids produced king kong parrots. Most common are red devils and redheads.
However, Xi Eng, a Taiwanese fishkeeper, is credited with pioneering commercial breeding of king Kong parrots. He claims these fish are citrinellum sports.
King kong parrots were so popular in the 2000s that many breeding facilities were created to meet the growing demand for these rare fish.
However, it also fuelled ethical fishkeeping, with activists praising the ability to deliberately breed deformed fish for aesthetic purposes.
These fish can live longer than bulldogs, who are selectively bred for their smashed, deformed faces.
The question of ethics will be left to the respective owners.
King Kong Parrot Cichlid Lifespan
Although they live a relatively long life expectancy, king kong parrots are often affected by genetic disorders. They live for 10 average years.
They can live up to 12-13years if they receive proper nutrition and care throughout their lives.
King kong parrots are more likely to outlive your fish pets than any other pet.
King Kong Parrot Cichlids Availability
King kong Parrots can be found online or offline.
There’s a good chance your fish has traveled thousands of miles to get home.
There is a chance that they will become very tired or injured. You should inspect them for signs of injury or unusual deformities.
We recommend that you contact your local fish breeders before ordering from another part of the world.
King Kong Parrot Cichlid Price
A juvenile king kong pararot can cost between $15-25. However, a full-sized specimen can go for $50-100 depending on where it is purchased.
King kong parrots tend to be more expensive. Parrot cichlids are a bit cheaper than King kong parrots. They retail for between $8-15.
Prices can change depending on body type and intensity. One user reported that he saw a pair of King Kong parrots for sale at $500 on a fish forum. Hefty!
King Kong Parrot Cichlid Appearance
King kong parrots are uncannily like blood parrot cichlids, except for their size. These parrots are very similar to red mammon parrots, and they are often sold in pairs for quick cash.
Although juveniles are dark in color, they can change their shade as they age.
These fish have a slightly nuchal hump, and a larger body than blood parrot cichlids.
They are small and triangle-shaped with a round body.
Their most prominent defect is the lip, which has a narrow vertical opening. Sometimes, the lower jaw of the fish will not move at all. It’s not a defect in itself, but it is an additional anomaly in an already unique fish.
Their swimming abilities are also affected by their bent spines.
These fish, like most cichlids have one nostril per side. This is in contrast to the 2 sets that most fish have. They also have a good set of pharyngeal and regular teeth.
The spiny rays at the ends of the anal, pelvic and pectoral fins protect them from predators. However, the front fins are soft to allow for easy movement in the water.
King Kong Parrot Cichlid Size
King Kong parrots can grow to 8-9 in in length on average. They can grow up to 12 inches if they are kept in captivity with the right diet and care.
The most popular selling size is between 3.25 and 3.5 inches.
They can grow to a large size but they mature a little later.
King Kong Parrot Cichlid Male VS Female
The king kong male will have more intense colors than his female counterparts, as is the case with many cichlid species. He will also be slightly larger than a female and a few inches longer.
The male fins are also longer and more pointed, while the female’s fins tend to be shorter and less blunt.
It is easy to seduce king kong parrots. You can also observe their bottoms, right next to the anal fin, in addition to the subtle differences mentioned above.
Males will have a small, white “spike” sticking out while females will have flat-bottomed tubes.
King Kong Parrot Cichlid Behavior
Although king kong parrots are said to be of citrinellum heritage, they do not have any mean bones. It could be their bent spine, which prevents them moving quickly. Maybe it’s because they only have a partially functioning mouth that prevents them from biting or nipping.
King kong cichlids don’t tend to be territorial or aggressive. They can be somewhat aggressive, but only during breeding season.
Their parental lineage can be murky. If they inherit the genes of a midas Cichlid, it’s likely that they will have a mean streak.
King kong parrots can also be shy. They will hide quite a bit during the day when you bring them home for the first time. After a week, they will start to exhibit typical cichlid behaviors.
King Kong Parrot Cichlid Tank Mates
King kong parrots need to be kept with similar-sized fish. Mix them with dominant or peaceful fish.
These are some suitable tank mates to your king kong pararots:
- Angelfish
- Barbs
- Severums
- Oscars
- Corydoras
- Glass catfish
- Kuhli loaches
- Silver dollars
- Swordtails
- Vieja cichlids
- Red mammons
- Kribs
- Firemouths
- Yoyo loaches
- Rainbowfish
- Acaras
- Bala sharks
- Plecos
These cichlids can be peaceful with other species. You can also keep them with other species.
King Kong Parrot Cichlid Diet
Jellyfish are an omnivore with a great appetite. Jellyfish will eat any type of aquarium food including pellets, flakes and even vegetables.
Food rich in b carotene can help you get the best colors.
Here are some foods you can feed your king kong parrot.
- Flakes
- Pellets
- Small crustaceans
- Small feeder fish
- Baby brine shrimp
- Bloodworms
- Frozen worms
- Blanched vegetable
- Ocean plankton
- Freeze-dried tubifex
These fish are inclined to eat high-protein foods. However, bloating can be caused by eating high-protein foods.
These fish also have smaller, more deformed mouths than other fish, so their eating speed is slower.
They have a very difficult time eating standard pellets.
When buying pellets to feed your king kong parrots make sure they are small enough to fit in their mouths and crush easily.
Hikari has a great one that we recommend always:
What we love about it
- A scientifically-developed color-enhancing formulation
- Fortified with beneficial microorganisms
- It’s made with chili pepper, krill and phaffia yeast.
- Contains stabilized vitamin C
Cichlids can be fed 3-4 small meals per day. These fish are slow eaters so make sure they eat within 45 seconds.
It is believed that aggression can be reduced by eating small meals throughout the day, rather than one large meal.
Avoid animal protein such as the beef heart. Guppies and goldfish are good options for live feeder fish.
The melting point of animal protein is much higher than that of vegetable protein. It will also take a while to melt inside the fish’s body. This can lead to fat buildup in liver.
You can find more tips and tricks for feeding cichlids by clicking here.
Water Parameters For King Kong Parrot Cichlid
| Temperature | 70-82degF (21-28degC) |
| pH range | 6.5-8.5 |
| General hardness | 2-25 dGH |
| Nitrate Level | 10 ppm |
| Nitrite Level | 0.0 |
| Level of phosphate | 0.05 ppm |
| Ammonia Level | 0.0 |
| Water Region | Middle |
| Water Movement | Weak |
King Kong cichlids make up the largest cichlids on the fishkeeping industry. They will naturally produce a lot of bioload.
Due to their small mouths, they are prone to eating a lot.
A king kong parrot or cichlid tank will become more filthy much faster. Expect to do 20-25% water changes each week.
To remove the algae from glass panes use an algae magnet and a sponge. Once it has settled to the substrate, you can remove it with a siphon magnet.
You already know that king kong parrots cichlids have a variety of genetic defects. Even a minor health problem can quickly become a serious issue that could lead to death.
We strongly recommend that you test the water parameters at least once a week.
These fish prefer water that is warmer than cold. Warm water is more poisonous than cold water.
Get an API Freshwater Master Kit to measure 5 essential water parameters. A master kit is more cost-effective than standard strips.
Minimum Tank Size For King Kong Parrot Cichlid
King kong parrots can grow to be quite large so a minimum tank size is 75gallons. A tank of at least 120 gallons is recommended if you plan to add more fish. The larger the tank, the better.
Substrate For King Kong Parrot Cichlid
King kong parrots, like blood parrot fish love to dig in their substrate. You should choose something soft and smooth like sand.
Anything that is too coarse, such as gravels or rocks, can cause damage to your fish’s skins and fins.
Decorations for King Kong Parrot Cichlid
King kong parrots can be shy so hiding spots in the tank would be a good idea. To create territories and pathways, add lots of rocks, driftwood, caves, and place them strategically.
This will help you manage territorial aggression.
Artificial plants should not have sharp edges, jagged edges, or protruding edges.
These fish won’t eat living plants. They will only eat a few. Anacharis and java fern are two examples of hardy plants that can be used as an alternative.
King kong parrots love digging so make sure to secure all decorations and plants to the substrate.
Top Equipment for King Kong Parrot
King kong parrots can be messy eaters, so a corner or sponge filter will not work. You will need a canister filter that is high-performing.
They also don’t like sudden temperature changes. You will therefore need to purchase a safe and reliable heater that maintains a constant temperature and eliminates the risk of electrocution.
Here is our carefully curated and personally chosen list of equipment for king Kong parrots.
Penn-Plax Cascade Canister Filter
There are options for smaller tanks.
What we love about it
- Swimming pool style hose clamps
- Large-capacity, stackable filter medium
- Filter material included free
- For easy rotation, flow valves can be rotated 360 degrees
Hygger 800W Submersible Aquarium Heater
There are options for smaller tanks
What we love about it
- Digital display with 3-digits, accuracy to 0.1degF
- Double temperature probe
- ABS material used for outer casing
- Intelligent thermostat
Penn-Plax Krusty Krab Aquarium Ornament
What we love about it
- Made from safe and durable resin
- It is easy to clean
- Attractive aesthetic appeal
Breeding King Kong Parrot Cichlids
Most male king kong parrots are sterile. This is true for 99 percent of males. The breeder keeps the fertile 1% for breeding purposes, or sells them later at a high price.
As claimed by the internet, there have been some sporadic anomalies. However, some people have claimed to have successfully bred King Kong Parrots.
Although the female can successfully breed with males of other species and genus, this will often lead to dull and drab juveniles.
It is known that males of species such as convicts and flowerhorns, green devil cichlids and red-headed Cichlids can easily breed with a female king kong.
It is interesting that even though males are not sterile, they still engage in normal mating behavior. The female will also start laying eggs approximately every six weeks starting at age 2.
When he is ready to mate, the male will begin to develop deeper colors. The male will make every effort to impress his female partner by showing off his colors and shimmying.
Once they have formed a pair, the male will lay the eggs and find a flat, smooth slate or rock to place them on.
Even though the eggs are not fertilized, parents will tend to them with great care, protecting them from predators and fanning them.
The fungus will quickly develop in the eggs that have not been fertilized. The parents will then decide whether to eat or throw away the eggs.
If the eggs are fertilized, and the fry hatch, the parents will take care of them until they reach about 1 inch in length.
The fry can be moved to a separate tank so that they have better chances of survival. Don’t forget to give brine shrimp, flakes or pellets and conduct a 25 percent water change each day.
King Kong Parrot Diseases
As with all fish, king Kong parrots can be affected by stress, stress spots, black spot, and swim bladder diseases. They are also susceptible to infertility, as well as a variety of genetic defects.
Ich
Ich is a common disease in aquarium fish that is caused by a parasite known as protozoan Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. It is most common in poorly oxygenated tanks.
It is characterized by tiny white spots that look like salt grains all over the body. This is quickly followed up with other symptoms such as panting, loss of appetite, flashing, and lack of appetite.
Ich is extremely contagious. It can also quickly spread from one fish to the next without the host.
You will need to treat ich with a copper-based treatment and high temperature. Before you start the treatment, make sure to drain the water conditioner.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how and how much to use. Fish can become very sick if they are not properly applied.
This article will provide more information about ich and cichlids.
Swim Bladder Disease
Swim bladder disease is more common in large fish, such as king kong parrot and cichlids. It’s characterised by an unnatural bloating in the bladder area, which makes it difficult for fishes to swim or maintain balance.
It’s usually due to digestive problems and will disappear once the fish is re-educated.
Let’s say it’s because of an internal injury. A fish surgeon might have to either remove part of the bladder or place a small stone to correct buoyancy.
Stress Spots
When a fish is stressed or traumatized, stress spots appear as small dark patches all over their bodies. They will usually disappear once the fish becomes distressed.
It usually occurs when the fish is being bullied or is moving homes or has an underlying disease.
Genetic Defects
King kong parrots have a history of genetic defects that cannot be ignored.
They have a small, beak-shaped mouth which they cannot close but is partially operable. They compensate by crushing food with their throat muscles.
They also have compressed vertebrae and deformed nuchal bumps.
Their swim bladders can be deformed, causing them to swim in unnatural patterns.
Infertility
Infertility is not a disease, but it can be a problem if your goal is to breed fish. Most male king kong parrots have sterility due to artificial hybrid breeding.
Although there are a few ways to make them fertile these days, such as inserting hormones such as GnRH and LHRH into their eggs, it is not worth the effort.
Black Spot Disease
Paravortex turbellaria Flatworm, a parasite that can infiltrate the skin of cichlids and then leech off, can cause black spot disease.
These parasites grow to about the size of a grain salt, but they will continue growing as they feed on cell fluid. Because they are mobile, you’ll see them changing their positions frequently.
The most common treatments for this condition are a freshwater dip or a formalin soak.
These parasites are not responsible for all the black spots. This could also be caused by developmental changes or environmental factors.
Final Words: King Kong Parrot Cichlid Care Guide
The moral dilemma of owning king kong parrot-cichlid kingkongs is a serious one. The morality of these fish is up to their owners. However, we can’t deny that they are among the most beautiful freshwater fish.
You should make sure to research the genetic conditions of any pet you bring home, or intend to adopt one. They require different types of pellets to regular ones, for example.
These fish are great additions to any tank if breeding cichlids is not an option. They do produce quite a bit of bioload so be prepared to change your water frequently!