Blood Parrots in a 75g

**jcarr71** · 07-23-2010, 12:15 AM

So we finally found the time to slow motion sanitize the tank and we're going to start the cycle. After the cycle I was thinking about Blood Parrots for stocking. I didn't know where to ask about them since they aren't from any area. I mean their make up seems like SA cichlids, but they came from Asia, so the general board seemed like my best bet.

Anyhow, what is the best approach for stocking the Blood Parrot? There seemed to be mixed stockings across the web. Do you guys recommend a group of Blood Parrots? If so, how many for a 75g? My filtration is a Rena XP3 and several HOB power filters and sponge filters if need be. I can line the entire four foot back if the load calls for it.

Or are these fish best kept with only one Parrot with other cichlids? Or, lastly, are they best kept as a centerpiece with larger community fish? Thanks!

P.S. I've read plenty about their feeding issues and I know about their hybrid state. I've done tons of research on the fish lately, but I can't peg what type of set up is best to keep them in.

**smaug** · 07-23-2010, 12:37 AM

I have kept 4 bp with 4 silver dollars in a 55 gl filtered with just 1 xp2 for about a yr now.BP are a social fish and should have a group to be well adjusted.If I had a 75 gal I would have 8 BP.BTW I would be better off with twice the filter I got.

**Lady Hobbs** · 07-23-2010, 12:46 AM

You just happen to run into Hobbski that LUVS her blood parrots. My total favorite fish ever! I had two that died, one at 8 yrs and another at 8 1/2 and now I have 6 more.

They come rushing to the glass whenever I walk in the room and are so personal and loveable. They are cichlids and I've heard of some that are ornery but never any that I had and mine have been with platies, silver dollars, corys, tetra's and are now with a pair of angelfish. They are so into each other they don't even look at the angels. They spend their days pushing each other around the place. That's all they do, push and bump then go push and bump another and when the lights go off, all sleep in a clump together.

People say they can't eat right or swim right or do this or that. Those are apparently people who never had them. They swim just fine and eat pellets or flakes, sinking or floating. Mine eat cichlid sticks as well as my firemouths did. The females spawn but the male is infertile so you will not be over-run with them.

They like wood and pots to go in but don't do well with plants because they like to play around in the substrate. Plants in pots work fine or java fern attached to the wood.

I would never have just one. They enjoy each others company way too much. I love my 6 and if I had a 100 gallon would have even more of them.

They "average" around 6-8" but most claim they mostly remain around 6 altho we also hear reports of the "giants" that are not part of the norm. I'm a member of a blood parrot forum and the folks there also state 6" is average.

I have 6 in my 55 gallon and may, in time, have to move some to my other 55. Six in your 75 would be perfect.

When I had my other two, I dumped some baby firemouths in their tank thinking they would eat them. No way. Those babies went in their cave and those darned parrots took care of those babies. I honestly think when people feel they have an aggressive one it's because it hasn't friends of it's own or enough friends of it's own.

**Lady Hobbs** · 07-23-2010, 03:31 AM

You might want to look in Severums, as well.

**jcarr71** · 07-23-2010, 04:48 AM

That was awesome info, Ms. Hobbs. Thank you very much.

Severums in addition, eh? If I added a Severum, should I cut it to five Parrots?

**Lady Hobbs** · 07-23-2010, 12:50 PM

You should be able to do 2 Sevs and 4 parrots pretty easily.

**jcarr71** · 07-23-2010, 03:04 PM

That is exactly what I was looking for in stocking! I was asking before many times about two larger species I could keep together in the 75g without disaster and couldn't come up with any. I had left hope a while again and sat content at a one species use of the tank. Now my Lady in shining armor has saved me.

Thanks a ton, really.

**Lady Hobbs** · 07-23-2010, 03:05 PM

Is my check in the mail?

**jford21** · 07-23-2010, 04:00 PM

Its funny cuz at one point I had 3 BP....I had a large one that bullied the other two BP so I decided to take him back to the fish store. Now I have one red one and one yellow one. The yellow one is slightly larger than the red one, and now that one is bullying the smaller red BP. I wish they got along, but I'm figuring it's because of territory issues....But its also funny cuz the larger yellow BP bosses around my Jurpari which is larger then him but ignores the two Angel Fish and the smaller Frontosa's.

**Lady Hobbs** · 07-23-2010, 04:12 PM

Bullying such a simply pushing and shoveling with their mouths? That's simply their behavior. What else have they to do all day? LOL Bullying, to me, is keeping others in the tank in hiding for their lives, torn lips, frayed fins and fighting. But this shoving thing is nothing but their nature. Others lock lips but these guys can't.