True parrot fish

[Johnnyfishtanks]

True parrot fish should they be in groups of how many? i just bought 2 but i think i might need more they seem to like hiding is this normal ?

[AWW]

Great community cichlid, i have mine in a group of 4 now. If kept in pairs, one will grow dominant and kill the other... I would recommend 1, or more than 4.

[Johnnyfishtanks]

one hiding up the the spray bar and the other one is hiding down behind an amazon sword . ill grab some more i hope they come around . there in there with other tetras as head and tail light tetras and black skirt and others and a mbu hope this will be ok

[Gone Fishy]

Hello,

I also picked up a True Parrot by itself a couple of weeks ago and was equally as shy. It has become much more assertive, although still quite reserved. I have been chatting with others on another forum who own these and the consensus is that it does take quite some time for them to warm up. As mentioned in previous posts, these cichlids can be quite territorial, depending on the individual fish - similar to Oscars, and get quite large, so unless you are sure of a pair, a single specimen would probably alleviate some of the stress. You did not mention the size of the ones you have but i assume they are juvies, would just give it some time. Just my two cents By the way, hope your not attached to the tetras, they probably won't last long!

[King-eL]

Used to have 4 of them and they school together till they got to 6"+ and starts to chase the each other. Males tend to be more aggressive and will even challenege my pair of midas. One of the smallest ine got killed and the other was traded to Gone Fishy due to my two large one that paired up. Not overly aggressive as many other cichlids that would continue to harrass till stress to death. However they are highly territorial whenever another fish will get close. Just like many of the South American cichlids. They tend to be on the defending side than offend. Unlike the Central American cichlids that will harrrass other fish to death.

[charles]

Johnny, try smaller cichlids. If you want to show case your mbu, the true parrot doesn't really go in your tank.

[April]

Yes Normal. Even when I do a big wc they sulk for a few hours. Give them a few days. A couple more would make them braver. Their stomachs will get them going...they like to eat.
Keep the lid shut...they can jump when spooked.



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[tony1928]

When I had mine, I had a group of 4 to 6. Even the Uaru were out competing them during feeding time. One dominant one took over a cave and the rest of them just roamed around the tank. You'll need a lot of space if you want to house multiple numbers after they become big.

[Johnnyfishtanks]

i have a 180G i think 4 would be ok in there

[tony1928]

Yeah, they did ok in my 400. I did have a lot of other fish in there and driftwood as well to help break up the line of sight.