Parrot Fish seem to hate Plecos

Well, here is what I did. I don't think my tank is overstocked at this point. I did add some small fish to the tank... to add distraction plus another pleco. But I took the small parrot out while the new fish were still in the bags from the store and then I kept the big parrot at bay with a net... he wouldn't swim past the net. I let the new fish out so they could get aquainted with the tank and then let the big parrot go and put the little parrot back in the tank and so far so good. Everybody seems to be getting along right now. I have been keeping an eye on the pleco and he seems okay. Only once I saw one of the parrots picking at him and that was the first day.

They get especially agressive when I feed them with bloodworms. It's like I gave them crack or something. Unreal... they go nuts and after anyone who is competition for that food. Flakes, brineshrimp and anything else is not a problem but they love those bloodworms.
 
I have found that annoying my parrot with a net when she gets aggressive works - at least for a few weeks :)
 
leeser28 said:
I have found that annoying my parrot with a net when she gets aggressive works - at least for a few weeks :)
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Really, are you serious?

I find that it is very unnecessary to stress your fish like that. How would you like it if someone whacked you with a stick everytime you were out of line?

But hey, not my fish. Just keep in mind that it is their natural behavior to act that way, you can't just change that. So instead of stressing your fish like that perhaps reconsider your stocking...just an idea...
 
jpappy789 said:
Really, are you serious?

I find that it is very unnecessary to stress your fish like that. How would you like it if someone whacked you with a stick everytime you were out of line?

But hey, not my fish. Just keep in mind that it is their natural behavior to act that way, you can't just change that. So instead of stressing your fish like that perhaps reconsider your stocking...just an idea...
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FYI, I DO NOT "whack" my fish with anything. I do not hit my pets, including my fish. I do put the net near her WHILE she is actively being aggressive toward the pleco (which is the ONLY fish of those in the tank she is ever aggressive towards) and move it around. After about 10 seconds she left the area.

And I was making a bit of joke of it (which was a mistake on my part), but I have only done this twice since they were moved into the 40 gallon, and she has stopped harassing the pleco. In fact they are hanging out right next to each other as I write this.
 
Thanks - I was afraid that that's what it (my note) sounded like and I really have very strong feelings (obviously) about abuse of animals of any kind and was mortified that maybe my comment could be construed in that fashion. Sorry if I over reacted!
 
It must depend on the individual fish, because my two parrots are very peaceful, I have catfish, a pleco, a needlenose, and a huge blue gourami. The parrots are about 6 inches long and I provide lots of caves for everyone, but the parrots seem to ignore everyone.
 
jpappy789 said:
But what size of tank? It makes a big difference...
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Most definitely. Mine can still be a bit cantankerous with my severum, and this is in a 75 gallon. I grew mine out in a 30, then moved up to a 55, then to the 75. Since moving it to a 75 I have decided that a 55 really is too small for 2 parrots (I used to have another one).
 
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