parrot fish and barbs

W

werecatrising

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Oct 23, 2008
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I currently have a 30 gallon tank with gold barbs and corys. A friend is giving me a 55 gallon tank. I am trying to decided whether or not to keep both tanks, or just the 55. I would really like a parrot fish. Would it be ok with the barbs and corys?
 
I'm assuming you mean "Blood Parrot" when you say "Parrot" fish and not the actual Parrot fish. I kept my 3 Blood Parrots with no tankmates the 1st 2 yrs I owned them mistakedly thinking they'd harrass other fish to the point of stressing them. Keep in mind they can't *hurt other fish because their mouths don't close, but I worried about them picking at them all the time. A few months ago I put my 3 Blood Parrots in my 6' Plec tank with Plecs, Clown Loaches, a hybrid Syno cat & 18 Serpae Tetras and they've been wonderful, don't bother a soul. I feel bad for not giving them tankmates for 2 yrs. I think there's just so much activity going on that they just tune it all out. So I think you'd be just fine with the Barbs, Corys and a Blood Parrot or 2 in a 55 g.
 
How big do they get?
 
I never thought I could get one of those. They look really mean.
 
I have two blood parrots and I think they are wonderful fish. Mine have paired up and spawn often. They are protective of their eggs even though they are sterile and police the other fish from bothering them. In general though, they should be fine with most fish because they can't actually bite with their deformed mouths.
 
I think you'd probably be okay. We keep blood parrot cichlids w/ tiger barbs and bristlenose plecos without any trouble. We used to have corys in their tank but moved them (just because, there were no issues w/ compatibility).
 
I have a pair in my 120 with golden barbs, no problems yet. They (the parrots) do grow fast. I got them about 6-8 months ago at about 2inches. They are about 5inches now. IMO--Very peaceful, but too big for a 30gal. The 55 is maybe minimum.
 
That would be a pretty centerpiece for my 55, but I'm too stocked right now for one. Is a pair a necessity?
 
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