Problem with Parrots

[How About That]

Hey guys,

I've got three parrots that I'm sorta worried about. When i bought them, they were a healthy red color, but now they've turned to a very faded/flesh color. I thought they'd change back as time progressed, but they still havent. There's also a smaller parrot that seems to be picked on by the other two, and it's gotten to the point where he seldomly moves and even when it does, it runs into the other parrots alot. Should i be worried? Thanks for hearing me out guys.

[Nate_N_Nicole]

Could be stress, if that is the case use somr SLIM COAT or anything that helps with stress... Maybe put in some new hiding places or even seperate (the mean one) for a couple hours a reintroduce into a newly landscaped tank... If that aint it I dont know maybe its your lighting because I've bought fish that looked way better in fish stores then they did in my tanks until I got better lighting...

[Miles]

Was the deep red color due to the fish being died in color? That would explain the fading, and likely the overall weakness in the fish.

[viciouspisces]

Ive noticed that some blood parrots do that-fade in color .I could be totally wrong on this but seems like the ones that get mini hump heads ,seem to fade in color (from bright orange to light orange) and with mine end up being female (I currently have ten).I dont know if its a 'sex related' thing or a 'hybrid related'thing or what ever but I wouldnt worry too much .The 10 I have i know for a fact werent dyed .As far as aggresion between eachother -well parrots cant be quite bossy and mean (mine are constantly squabbling-minor kind tho -but thiers lots and they have lots of room) -how big is your tank? any other fish in there?

[guppy]

I once met a lfs owner who fed a carotene supplement to all his FHs, it enhanced the bright reds and oranges but without it they slowly faded to a less vivid color

[shoefreak03]

you could check your PH. my previous few would go lighter when PH was higher and darker when PH dropped below 7.0

[bluedempsey]

i think it depends on there moods
i have 3 one being intense orangy
another a lil lighter
and the last almost pink
all about 3 yrs old
i think there color also fades as they age?

[rweedon]

many parrots are dyed miles is probably right you should try cichlid gold (Hikari) or they have a new one they just gave us to try (the aro hates it wont touch it but everybody else loves it)

[yourmylunch]

more than likely they are dyed. some are naturaly red and most others are dyed. you could always dye them again with food color just dont dump it in the tank

[How About That]

Thanks for the reply guys,

It's really weird though, the two seemingly dominant parrots are the ones that have fading colors, and the smaller one, that's being picked on, has a nice stable color. These guys are in a tank with three ~6inch silver aro's and three combtail gourami's, at least i think they are gourami's. Could they be intimidated by the other fishes? The smallest parrot moves cautiously, and is very hesitant when it eats. It'll slowly move towards the surface of the water, stop for a moment, then quickly eat and retreat. Is this behavior normal?

[redtailfool]

thats normal with bp's as they are dyed and dyes eventually fade.
Shouldnt affect the health of the fish though. Post some pics so we can confirm.

[Ash]

I have 3 Parrots my parrots color faded from they dye but their natural color seems to be a bright orange now. I think it depends on the parrot weather its stressing or not and also what you feed it. I've had a huge parrot that got to big but that thing was a bright redish orange. I've also had a semi-big faded orange parrot. I noticed when I changed the food they got brighter.

[How About That]

Sorry guys, can't get pics until i get my hands on a better camera. All the pictures that i take come out blue. Thanks for all the help though everybody!