:swear:I have two parrot fish and I don't know what to do. They seem to hate any pleco I put in the tank. I even bought a pleco that was bigger than the two plecos but he was dead within a week. I've seen the parrots pick on whatever algae eater I put in there and I've about given up on having an algae eater altogether. I've heard chinese algae eaters are kind of aggressive, I'm wondering if one or two would stand a chance against the two parrots. I have a 55 gal. tank. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Parrot Fish seem to hate Plecos
- Thread starter GlassCat
- Start date
do the parrots seem to be dominating an area of the tank or are they just picking on them everywhere? What other fish are there in the tank?
I have two small Coreys and a Rainbow. Now the Coreys and the Rainbow were in the tank before either of the Parrots... and the Parrots don't bother them... so it seems I just can't add new fish. I've tried rearranging the tank before adding a Pleco, everything my local fish store suggested. It got worse after I got the second Parrot. They became buddies and seem to rule the tank.
Do you have caves for your parrots and a place for your pleco to hide? I have a similar problem with my parrot picking on my pleco, but they're both about 8 inches long and have lived together for about 6 years, I think they're used to each other and only knock each other around a little. I noticed that recently the parrot stared picking on the pleco again so I actually put a net in the tank to annoy and scare the parrot when she goes after the pleco a little so that she gets negative feedback from being a bully. I also put a terra cotta pot in the tank so she could have her own territory (although I'm not convinced that it's worked). Good luck. Lisa
Well, cichlid behavior is unpredictable and I would imagine cramping could also he an issue if the fish are at adult size.
I have a 55 gallon tank and the Parrots are not that big. One is about 4" in length and the other is 2 1/2-3". After reading Lisa's response now I think one problem is that I do have places for the Pleco to hide but the smaller of the Parrots can get into all of those places. Before I add more fish I should maybe find a cave / shelter that neither of the Parrots can get into. I hate to have anymore fish die unnecessarily.
I wouldn't add any more fish at this point. Once your fish reach adult size you'll be overstocked. BP's reach up to 8" and the pleco (depending on exact species) could get anywhere from 8" to 2 feet in length.
I had 1 parrot in my 55 and he went after the bristlenose non stop. I removed him. no matter where he went that parrot dug him out. and there was countless places for him to hide. them parrots are very territorial at times.
Parrotfish are not easy fish to pair up with anything else. They are not a community fish. I have never seen parrots get along with many other fish. IME - Once they hit about 4 inches they start becoming quite aggressive.
Sounds like your parrots simply aren't going to accept any new additions. Rather than continuing to add fish, I'd suggest adding a Mag Float. 
CAE's tend to stop eating algae as they mature.
CAE's tend to stop eating algae as they mature.