hoplarchus psittacus (true parrot cichlid)??

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nstefan2597

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 25, 2013
254
1
0
New Hampshire
has anyone ever kept true parrot cichlids? I don't know much about them but have the chance to get 4 of them at 5-8 inches long for $40 each. can someone tell me some info on them. always wanted some. info would be great and peoples personal experiences as well.
 
Can be aggressive, i had one with a same sized texas in a 125 and they always butted heads. Mine also liked darker water and hiding places. His colour really popped when feeding or fighting. My wife thought his face was creepy.

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They can grow to over 12"...and very territorial. Also prone to HITH...

What size tank do you have?

Matt

I have a 90 gallon at the moment. But I think I'm going to pass. I'm more so just interested in learning about them because I would like to have one or two once I get my 180. I cant find much about them online. I saw that they are very skiddish fish and that they are near impossible to breed.

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Here are some breeding: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...er-quot-Hoplarchus-psittacus&highlight=parrot

The real challenge is getting a stable pair... males tend to be bullies. A 90g is going to be too small. 180g will be too small if they don't like each other...

Matt

I have a 90 gallon at the moment. But I think I'm going to pass. I'm more so just interested in learning about them because I would like to have one or two once I get my 180. I cant find much about them online. I saw that they are very skiddish fish and that they are near impossible to breed.

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Here are some breeding: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...er-quot-Hoplarchus-psittacus&highlight=parrot

The real challenge is getting a stable pair... males tend to be bullies. A 90g is going to be too small. 180g will be too small if they don't like each other...

Matt

Gosh they are beautiful fish. I figured 90 would be too small. They are at a pet store in a display tank with about 100 tetras and barbs. Its a beautiful tank. But when you walk near it they swim to the back behind a peice of driftwood its weird. They just dont seem to like people lol. Maybe its all the little kids that tap and bang on the glass. They are a dream fish. I would love to own some one day!

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I think the get a bad rap for the aggression. i have a big solo fish (about 12 inches) in a mild cichlid community. Sevs, geos, datniod,rays/ No problem it has grown up in the tank with a lot of the fish but even additions have no issue. The parrot is the boss of the tank and occasional bumps a fish here or there but no damage and honestly only really show aggression is other fish are fighting. One of my favorite cichlids and i tell everyone if you have the chance to own one go for it!!!
here is mine

uploadfromtaptalk1360978112163.jpg

uploadfromtaptalk1360978112163.jpg
 
I think the get a bad rap for the aggression. i have a big solo fish (about 12 inches) in a mild cichlid community. Sevs, geos, datniod,rays/ No problem it has grown up in the tank with a lot of the fish but even additions have no issue. The parrot is the boss of the tank and occasional bumps a fish here or there but no damage and honestly only really show aggression is other fish are fighting. One of my favorite cichlids and i tell everyone if you have the chance to own one go for it!!!
here is mine

View attachment 943921

That is absolutley beautiful fish! You keep him with geos? Thats what my 90 is. I have 4 red head tapajos, 2 Steindachneri, a male balzani, 5 altifrons, and some other cichlids. You think its worth giving it a try with a small one in with them?

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