hey i will be getting these "true parrot cichlids" real soon. im just curious if anyone has any experience with them? I know they are a large growing black water species but thats all i know. thanks in advance
Hoplarchus psittacus care?
- Thread starter Aro_addict
- Start date
Hey I hate to bring up really old threads, but...Did you ever get Hoplarchus psittacus, and how did you do with them? I am planning on buying some and was curious.
Thanks Kim
Thanks Kim
The OP hasn't been on here since 1-28-13 so unless you're lucky he might not see this but someone else might be able to help you out. If you don't get any replys start a new thread. HTH
I purchsed three 1.5" wild caught Hoplarchus psittacus fro the Wetspot in November. They were very shy at first but had plent of plants and caves to hide in. They have over doubled in size and rarley hide. I have been feeding them Bloodworms, Spirulina/shrimp pellets, Frozen Brine shimp, and chopped up freeze dried krill. Thye are starting to turn green and are looking good. They will turn brown when they are stressed. So far it has been a good experience and the temperment has been very peacefull . I keep them with Super red severums od about the same size in a 125g.
They won't stay very peaceful. Once they hit 5 or 6" they will start to establish their dominance.
Do plenty of water changes and have good filtration because they are big eaters and require clean water with low nitrates and DOCs. If you don't keep the nitrates low they will develop HITH. Aside from that, they don't seem to be very picky. They love most types of food and are usually pretty interactive and outgoing, especially if you raise them from juvies.
Do plenty of water changes and have good filtration because they are big eaters and require clean water with low nitrates and DOCs. If you don't keep the nitrates low they will develop HITH. Aside from that, they don't seem to be very picky. They love most types of food and are usually pretty interactive and outgoing, especially if you raise them from juvies.
Mine was the dominant fish in the tank. It hated my chocolate cichlid which I had to rehome, and it constantly went after my Heros sp. Atabapo pair which caused a war because they were always spawning. He also loved to push my pike cichlids around but pikes tend to push back. Conspecific aggression was getting pretty rough around 6" so I sold all mine and kept a single male. He ended up being about 13". They will eat anything they can fit in their mouths. I attempted adding a smaller bellycrawler pike, around 5", and luckily he hid out under some driftwood because my psittacus meant he was going to eat it.