Expecting 29g for Christmas...

[InR reason]

Hey guys. I want to have at least one parrot cichlid for the new tank. I'd add an angel or two per your suggestions but from the research I've done one parrot needs at least 30 gallons and so I am apprehensive about adding anything else save for tiny dither fish.
I'm not brand new to the hobby but this is the largest tank I will have owned so far. Please tell me the right way to do this with a parrot. And no comments about how "ugly" or "deformed" the fish are. I've heard enough of that, and I personally find them to be cute. Thanks for your input.

[rosita]

Well, I think it depends. They really do better in 40 or more, but if it's a smaller one (e.g. female) it might work fine. I'd only add cories or suchlike. I'm thinking of my 29--should be enough space for 1 so long as you keep to a good pwc schedule. Still thinking a 40 or more would be better in the long run. Good luck!

[jm1212]

most parrots (im assuming you are talking about blood parrots) get around 8" and they do best in a 55 gallon, so a 29 gallon would be to small; especially if you are going to have a pair of angels in there also.

[fish_freak]

Ya if your going to put a bloodparrot in there then just do that one fish and no others because even with just him it will be crowded but I think as long as you stick to a good water change regimine then you should be ok.

[InR reason]

Thanks guys.. I'll do it. I'm obsessive about my water anyway so no worries there. I do appreciate this and I'm psiked about finally getting that 29.

[petman]

That is a small tank for big fish. You would be better off picking something that wont grow bigger then like a Mbuna cichlid. Did you consider a group of yellow Labs? A parrot prolly wont be to happy after a year or more.

[JulieC]

If you plan to upgrade once it grows, a 29 will be okay for 1 small juvenile bp. But as mentioned before, you have to watch out for water quality. Bps have a huge bioload, so they put out tons of waste in the tank. And as you probably know smaller tank equals more cleaning to reduce ammonia levels.

The problem with a 29 gallon tank as far as size goes is that a 30 gallon tank (which is recommended as the minimum) has a different footprint than a 29. Sure, a 29 gallon is only 1 gallon less, but it is a much shorter tank. A 30 gallon is longer while a 29 gallon is taller. The bp would prefer the longer tank.

A bp can reach 8" and grows very quickly. If you plan to keep a bp, make plans now to upgrade the tank soon. If you can't upgrade to a larger tank soon, I don't recommend you get the bp.

I hope that helps.

[InR reason]

And what about jellybeans? A few- maybe 2 or 3 should work ok. Like I said I'm religous about water changes.