Parrot Fish seem to hate Plecos

[GlassCat]

:swear:I have two parrot fish and I don't know what to do. They seem to hate any pleco I put in the tank. I even bought a pleco that was bigger than the two plecos but he was dead within a week. I've seen the parrots pick on whatever algae eater I put in there and I've about given up on having an algae eater altogether. I've heard chinese algae eaters are kind of aggressive, I'm wondering if one or two would stand a chance against the two parrots. I have a 55 gal. tank. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[Fish-Addict]

do the parrots seem to be dominating an area of the tank or are they just picking on them everywhere? What other fish are there in the tank?

[GlassCat]

I have two small Coreys and a Rainbow. Now the Coreys and the Rainbow were in the tank before either of the Parrots... and the Parrots don't bother them... so it seems I just can't add new fish. I've tried rearranging the tank before adding a Pleco, everything my local fish store suggested. It got worse after I got the second Parrot. They became buddies and seem to rule the tank.

[leeser28]

Do you have caves for your parrots and a place for your pleco to hide? I have a similar problem with my parrot picking on my pleco, but they're both about 8 inches long and have lived together for about 6 years, I think they're used to each other and only knock each other around a little. I noticed that recently the parrot stared picking on the pleco again so I actually put a net in the tank to annoy and scare the parrot when she goes after the pleco a little so that she gets negative feedback from being a bully. I also put a terra cotta pot in the tank so she could have her own territory (although I'm not convinced that it's worked). Good luck. Lisa

[jpappy789]

Well, cichlid behavior is unpredictable and I would imagine cramping could also he an issue if the fish are at adult size.

[GlassCat]

I have a 55 gallon tank and the Parrots are not that big. One is about 4" in length and the other is 2 1/2-3". After reading Lisa's response now I think one problem is that I do have places for the Pleco to hide but the smaller of the Parrots can get into all of those places. Before I add more fish I should maybe find a cave / shelter that neither of the Parrots can get into. I hate to have anymore fish die unnecessarily.

[jpappy789]

I wouldn't add any more fish at this point. Once your fish reach adult size you'll be overstocked. BP's reach up to 8" and the pleco (depending on exact species) could get anywhere from 8" to 2 feet in length.

[grannylvsfish]

I had 1 parrot in my 55 and he went after the bristlenose non stop. I removed him. no matter where he went that parrot dug him out. and there was countless places for him to hide. them parrots are very territorial at times.

[excuzzzeme]

Parrotfish are not easy fish to pair up with anything else. They are not a community fish. I have never seen parrots get along with many other fish. IME - Once they hit about 4 inches they start becoming quite aggressive.

[severum mama]

Sounds like your parrots simply aren't going to accept any new additions. Rather than continuing to add fish, I'd suggest adding a Mag Float. ;) CAE's tend to stop eating algae as they mature.

[GlassCat]

Well, here is what I did. I don't think my tank is overstocked at this point. I did add some small fish to the tank... to add distraction plus another pleco. But I took the small parrot out while the new fish were still in the bags from the store and then I kept the big parrot at bay with a net... he wouldn't swim past the net. I let the new fish out so they could get aquainted with the tank and then let the big parrot go and put the little parrot back in the tank and so far so good. Everybody seems to be getting along right now. I have been keeping an eye on the pleco and he seems okay. Only once I saw one of the parrots picking at him and that was the first day.

They get especially agressive when I feed them with bloodworms. It's like I gave them crack or something. Unreal... they go nuts and after anyone who is competition for that food. Flakes, brineshrimp and anything else is not a problem but they love those bloodworms.

[jpappy789]

Key phrase is "at this point"....

[leeser28]

I have found that annoying my parrot with a net when she gets aggressive works - at least for a few weeks :)

[jpappy789]

I have found that annoying my parrot with a net when she gets aggressive works - at least for a few weeks :)
Really, are you serious?

I find that it is very unnecessary to stress your fish like that. How would you like it if someone whacked you with a stick everytime you were out of line?

But hey, not my fish. Just keep in mind that it is their natural behavior to act that way, you can't just change that. So instead of stressing your fish like that perhaps reconsider your stocking...just an idea...

[leeser28]

Really, are you serious?

I find that it is very unnecessary to stress your fish like that. How would you like it if someone whacked you with a stick everytime you were out of line?

But hey, not my fish. Just keep in mind that it is their natural behavior to act that way, you can't just change that. So instead of stressing your fish like that perhaps reconsider your stocking...just an idea...

FYI, I DO NOT "whack" my fish with anything. I do not hit my pets, including my fish. I do put the net near her WHILE she is actively being aggressive toward the pleco (which is the ONLY fish of those in the tank she is ever aggressive towards) and move it around. After about 10 seconds she left the area.

And I was making a bit of joke of it (which was a mistake on my part), but I have only done this twice since they were moved into the 40 gallon, and she has stopped harassing the pleco. In fact they are hanging out right next to each other as I write this.

[jpappy789]

I understand that, the situations didn't match up 100%, I wasn't trying to accuse you of physically abusing your fish. Sorry if I came off that way.

[leeser28]

Thanks - I was afraid that that's what it (my note) sounded like and I really have very strong feelings (obviously) about abuse of animals of any kind and was mortified that maybe my comment could be construed in that fashion. Sorry if I over reacted!

[rabbitroo]

It must depend on the individual fish, because my two parrots are very peaceful, I have catfish, a pleco, a needlenose, and a huge blue gourami. The parrots are about 6 inches long and I provide lots of caves for everyone, but the parrots seem to ignore everyone.

[jpappy789]

But what size of tank? It makes a big difference...

[severum mama]

But what size of tank? It makes a big difference...

Most definitely. Mine can still be a bit cantankerous with my severum, and this is in a 75 gallon. I grew mine out in a 30, then moved up to a 55, then to the 75. Since moving it to a 75 I have decided that a 55 really is too small for 2 parrots (I used to have another one).