View Full Version : Blood parrot cichlids
fishy45cory
02-14-2004, 8:53 AM
Some sources tell me blood parrots are a very peaceful group fish that can easily fit in with gouramis and other slow moving peacful fish, but other sources tell me they are aggressive and are not suitable for a community aquarium. Whats the real deal here? And is it true that they cant close their mouths?
Rocketman
02-14-2004, 2:45 PM
I have two parrots and they are picked on more often then they pick on others. However they are small, and in a tank with Jewels and a Red Tailed Shark. The two I have at work are larger and fed guppies as well as frozen food and flakes. They're much more agressive. Most of what I've heard though is that they will hold their own, and at the worst use their bodies to move around your gravel. I wouldn't put them in a tank with neons, but rainbows and giant danios? Maybe. It depends on what others here think.
There aren't many Blood Parrots that end up killing big cichlids. And I have mine in with other cichlids like severums and etc. And my BPs used to live with Gouramis as well. I even have giant danios. I also have kept 1.5" Firemouth with them before.
BP usually use their head to bump another fish out of their way. Sure they do some jaw locking, but IMO, due to their mouth, that is a bit difficult for them. It depends on the BP abilities. Some have swimming problem. Some has eating problem (aim and shoot for the food...suck the food in).
Unless you are talking about King Kong Blood Parrot. Those are a bit more aggressive.
fishy45cory
02-14-2004, 8:54 PM
Alright thanx guys.
They are sometimes semi-aggressive towards other BPs ,or maybe they just play around with each other. Also they can be territorial at times, since they would try to bite me with their tiny mouths whenever i would put my hand in there. Even my oscar doesn't try to bite me.
fishy45cory
02-15-2004, 4:46 PM
would two of them be alright in a 45 gallon community tank?
Bristlenose Chuck
02-15-2004, 5:10 PM
It would depend on what you have in the tank and on the personality of the BP. While some fish may be aggressive, others of the same kind may not be. Example, I have a blackbelt cichlid who is a total chicken.
By puting the BP in last you are increasing the chances that he will do fine in the tank. Its only when they have had a chance to establish territory that they will pick on newcomers.
Please understand that this is just a guideline. There are always exceptions to the rule.
fishy45cory
02-15-2004, 7:38 PM
Thanx for all the help.