Parrot issues - a couple of questions

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abelman

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Jun 2, 2004
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I have a recently acquired red parrot that was completely bright orange-red when I brought it home a couple of weeks ago. Now, I've noticed that it appears to be turning black in some areas along its sides and even a little around its mouth. Is this natural? Should I be concerned about it?

I also have a couple of (now) larger parrots which I've had for a while and I've noticed them "digging" in the gravel on the bottom of my aquarium, by picking up small stones one at a time and releasing them onto an adjacent pile. This leaves somewhat of a crater at the bottom of the tank with a pile of gravel next to it. (I've also seen some of my other fish doing this from time to time, but the large parrots appear to be the most active at this.) Any idea why they would be doing this? Is this sort of activity very unique for fish?

thanks for your help.
 
Moving to Cichlids. OG

The coloration change is fairly normal, from what I've heard.

Sounds like the other parrot is thinking of laying eggs--that crater is her nest. Won't matter if there's a male around--they will often lay eggs, and gaurd them--the other fish in the tank might be in danger if she does.
 
IME, when BP has black spots is because those are injuries. Also, can be caused by water pollution.

As for digging and shaking and etc, those are breeding behavior.
 
One of my parrots has these black spots you mentioned, IMO they appear like juv markings of some sort.
They'll disappear with age according to the guys over at BP forums.

BP's are criminal diggers and uprooters of plants and as OG said its a good sign that the female is getting ready to eggs.

Mine laid about a week ago and not to worry you but she became so aggressive, I had to remove her from the tank, allthough shes back in now, I eventually let the tank heirachy establish and then dumped her in and after a few little scuffles (no injuries) everyone appears happy.

I'd make sure you have an empty tank to hand just in case

Out of interest, what size tank are your BP's and in what tank mates have you got as I am still somewhat struggling to find tankmates that wont get bullied, but also wont bully the parrots :)
 
I have a 72 gallon tank with 2 large (4-5") blood parrots, 2 small (2") blood parrots, 3 small silver dollars, 3 clown loaches, 2 starbae cories (did I spell that right), 2 spotted puffers, 2 albino frogs, and 2 (green) african clawed frogs (I'm not 100% about the frog varieties) ... and yes, I know the puffers are brackish, but my water is bit salty, PH is at 7.2, and everyone is doing just fine.
 
WOW!

Sounds like a very nice tank, I must admit BPs are probally the best fish I have ever owned and the most troublesome :D

Didnt relise adults will live with babies OK, Do you get much fighting? bullying
 
Lately, I've noticed the large Blood Parrots chasing and pecking at each other a bit, but in general, I haven't seen much fighting in my tank (besides the entertaining football match every time I throw in a frozen bloodworms cube).
 
This is going to be a great forum to ask my question. are the BP's good fish for a 55g community? i was advised that if i wanted a cichlid for my community tank that would be one of the only ones that would work. thought it was a cool looking fish too. i was also wondering if there were any other cichlids that would be good for a comunity tank.

55g
5 black skirt tetras
dwarf gourami
opoline gourami
 
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