fighting parrots

[abelman]

I have two large blood parrots who have been getting along ok until recently, when I've noticed that the 5" one is incessantly chasing and pecking at the 4" one - so much so, that I constantly find the smaller one motionless, pressed against the the filter intake. (I originally thought he was dead or dying, but then he moved and seems very much alive, so I assume he's hiding from the larger one.)
Can someone tell me if this activity means anything other than just fighting or a turf war, and whether there is anything I can do about it. (They're in a 72 gallon, and I don't have a second tank.)
What can I expect to result from this activity/fighting? Is the smaller at risk of getting stressed out and dying?

thanks for your help.

 

[RyJ]

The fighting may stop...or may not - it's hard to tell with Parrots because they are hybrids.

Yes, the smaller one may get stressed out to the point where it will get sick.

Things you can do are feeding them more frequently (smaller feedings), placing more hiding places (rocks, plants), and having tank mates.....do you have other fish in this tank with them? If you don't....then adding some would help, because it would act as a destraction for the aggressive Parrot...

 

[abelman]

thanks alot for your help.

I've got lots of other fish in the tank: starbae corys, silver dollars, clown loaches, spotted puffers, underwater frogs, clown loaches

I would add that I've had aggressive fish in the past, but I've never seen any fish picking at another one so aggressively and incessantly. The smaller one has been pressed against the filter intake nonstop, and still seems to be very much alive; and as soon as it swims away from the intake, the other parrot swims across the tank directly to it and repeatedly swims into it, pecks at it with its mouth (though not biting it), and pushing it against the walls of the aquarium.
Based on this behavior, it seems that creating hiding places may not suffice to protect the smaller parrot. Any other (alternative) ideas? Would it help if I split them up temporarily (e.g. with a wall down the middle of the tank - Is that possible?)?

thanks again for your help.

 

[Tommy]

Based on what you just described, you need to get the one fish out who is being picked on. It is going to die from the stress if you don't.

 

[Tightdog1]

the smaller parrot seems to almost be playing "dead" since when he is on the intake the other one leaves it alone, and as soon as it leaves the intake it is chased. Is the parrot only chasing the other parrot or is he chasing other fish? since you have hybrids, and hybrids can be very different, like a flowerhorn which cannot be in another tank with another FH, otherwise the weaker FH will get killed. could be what the parrrrot is doing.

I would
1) add more decor and hiding place like clay pots, rocks, etc.
2) add some target fish giant danios work great for me.
3) feed more to keep the fish less hungry and there fore less likely to chase other fish.