New problem?? Blood Parrot

**MCHRKiller** · 10-07-2012, 03:37 PM

We will forgive you this one time

Really BPs have a similar issue to fancy goldfish...they are deformed due to their round body shape. Some are worse than others...I had one several years ago which was more elongated than most and it had no issues, but its organs weren't as scrunched into its body cavity either. You may also benefit from feeding them vegetation as it improves digestion, your Severum also requires plant matter in its diet as does the Pleco...so its not like any of it will go to waste. Some deshelled blanched peas, nori, blanched zuchinni, etc are all great. Devote one day per week to feeding vegetation...you will also see color improvement in your fish from doing so.

**Taurus** · 10-07-2012, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by MCHRKiller

We will forgive you this one time

Oh heck, that's all your giving is one time. I'm doomed.

**fishmommie** · 10-07-2012, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by MCHRKiller

Id do a combo of Prazi and Metro considering your fish have never been treated for internal parasites...and well cichlids often have a gutload of parasites.
Will do. Already dosed with the Prazi after reading the bottle. Will do the metro now

I never measure my fish's food...just feed them what they will actively eat in like 30seconds or so.

That's what I've always done with my 30 and it works great. This tank is has been different in that they don't allow me to watch them eat so I don't know how long it's taking. Hopefully, if they get hungry enough after their fast today, they won't be so eager to run when I approach the tank.

I'm hoping this issue with shyness goes away soon. I always approach to tank very slowly so as not to startle them but I must walk past it several times a day going in and out of my home office so maybe that's what upsets them? Who knows. Silly little fish

**MCHRKiller** · 10-07-2012, 03:45 PM

We wont discuss what that chain is for....

Adding a shoal of fish will improve your cichlid's shyness. Maybe add just a small pinch or two of food...and watch from afar to see if they still appear hungry. If so slowly approach the tank and give them a bit more.

**fishmommie** · 10-07-2012, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by MCHRKiller

We will forgive you this one time

Really BPs have a similar issue to fancy goldfish...they are deformed due to their round body shape. Some are worse than others...I had one several years ago which was more elongated than most and it had no issues, but its organs weren't as scrunched into its body cavity either. You may also benefit from feeding them vegetation as it improves digestion, your Severum also requires plant matter in its diet as does the Pleco...so its not like any of it will go to waste. Some deshelled blanched peas, nori, blanched zuchinni, etc are all great. Devote one day per week to feeding vegetation...you will also see color improvement in your fish from doing so.

so far no luck with the blanched zuchinni. I'll try peas next time. thanks

**Taurus** · 10-07-2012, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by MCHRKiller

We wont discuss what that chain is for....

Why not....oh, right, this is a family fish forum.

Lost my head there for a second.

**fishmommie** · 10-07-2012, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by MCHRKiller

http://images.halloweencostumes.com/...hains-zoom.jpg

We wont discuss what that chain is for....

Adding a shoal of fish will improve your cichlid's shyness. Maybe add just a small pinch or two of food...and watch from afar to see if they still appear hungry. If so slowly approach the tank and give them a bit more.

I don't think I WANT to know what the chain is for LOL

I had been thinking of adding congos - which I had planned on feeding flakes. But, with the flake food issue for the BP's ... I don't know how to counter act that. How do I feed flakes to the congos and avoid the BP's feeding from the surface and gulping bubbles? Or will the congos eat the sinking cichlid pellets? Or is there some other solution? You guys are sooooo resourceful

**Taurus** · 10-07-2012, 03:58 PM

OMG...you're making this sooooooooo complicated.

The congos will get slow sinking pellets..like NEW LIFE SPECTRUM 1mm pellets.
NLS will make them smarter too.

**MCHRKiller** · 10-07-2012, 03:59 PM

Your tetras will eat whatever your cichlids dont. My buenos aires in the 150G eat large hikari cichlid pellets for example. Where there is food...fish will eat, no worries

Keeping it PC this morning....

I wouldnt feed NLS...I dont want to pay my student loan bills much less the loan bills from my fish.