In this paper we experimentally show parametric amplification and wavelength conversion in a custom manufactured dual-core highly nonlinear fiber. On-off gain <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">></tex-math></inline-formula>10 dB and conversion efficiencies between <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">-1</tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">-8.5</tex-math></inline-formula> dB were measured for both cores. The estimated effective nonlinear parameter for the cores of the fiber are 6.6 W<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">^{-1}\mathrm{km}^{-1}</tex-math></inline-formula> and 6.3 W<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">^{-1}\mathrm{km}^{-1}</tex-math></inline-formula>, while the zero-dispersion wavelength for the individual cores is shown to be relatively close from each other. Furthermore, complementary analytical and numerical results show that coupled cores fiber optical parametric amplifier offer the potential of wide-band gain even when they have significantly distinct zero-dispersion wavelengths.