Adding a Blood Parrot - a good idea?

[jnms]

I've seen a lovely Blood Parrot Cichlid that I want to add to my tank - however I am a little hesitant...so am seeking advice.

I currently have 2 9" Severum and a 6" Discus, as well as a few smaller fish (Bristlenose Pleco, 5 Cories etc.) - Now some may say it's a risk having Severum and Discus together but all has been fine.

However would a Blood Parrot really be pushing things - or is it worth a try?

 

[japes]

Blood Parrots are never a good idea

 

[craig_uk]

You know why people say dont mix severums and discus?

Because it wont work in the long run ;-) Sevs (Specifically Heros Efasciatus) are big, confident, aggressive fish (for a member of the Heroine family atleast) and i gaurantee you, 10 to a penny, you'll come down stairs to a dead discus one of these days.

On a side note, Discus do better in shoals.

Take a look at at the Heronie tribe of cichlids (Uaru, Heros, Angels, Discus, Festivums etc) and then take a gander at Conspecific aggression.

And on the final note. Blood Parrots are hybrids ;-) dont expect much love in this section.

Craggy

 

[HrHagel]

You know why people say dont mix severums and discus?

Because it wont work in the long run ;-) Sevs (Specifically Heros Efasciatus) are big, confident, aggressive fish (for a member of the Heroine family atleast) and i gaurantee you, 10 to a penny, you'll come down stairs to a dead discus one of these days.

On a side note, Discus do better in shoals.

Take a look at at the Heronie tribe of cichlids (Uaru, Heros, Angels, Discus, Festivums etc) and then take a gander at Conspecific aggression.

And on the final note. Blood Parrots are hybrids ;-) dont expect much love in this section.

Craggy

You didn't answer his question
And this is your opinion not facts written in stone.
There are many exceptions, and things can work out just fine for many people who dare try, and think outside the box, and STEP outside the box.


And sorry but i have never owned a blood parrot so i cannot help you with this

 

[craig_uk]

You didn't answer his question

Neither did you. ;-)

And i can assure you, its not just opinion, rather observation, studious investigation and experience. Like i said. Look into conspecific aggression, its a wide ranging and interesting topic (and, if you do your research properly, you'll see why he'll struggle to mix a blood parrot (A hybrid of heroine species) with other Heroines. ;-)

Trust me. I know my onions, and its advice like yours (Again, based solely on opinion) that leads people to make foolish choices with their stocking.

Right then, its nice to know the general calibre of MFK hasn't improved over the last year, Theres some absolutely brilliant members and information, and then theres the above. I wont be posting again for a long while.

 

[HrHagel]

Neither did you. ;-)

And i can assure you, its not just opinion, rather observation, studious investigation and experience. Like i said. Look into conspecific aggression, its a wide ranging and interesting topic (and, if you do your research properly, you'll see why he'll struggle to mix a blood parrot (A hybrid of heroine species) with other Heroines. ;-)

Trust me. I know my onions, and its advice like yours (Again, based solely on opinion) that leads people to make foolish choices with their stocking.

Right then, its nice to know the general calibre of MFK hasn't improved over the last year, Theres some absolutely brilliant members and information, and then theres the above. I wont be posting again for a long while.

I did not mean to offend you.

I'm just tired of the fact that when anyone asks a simple question, there's always someone who has to comment on his stock, his tank or his filtration, instead of answering the question.

I'm done with MFK for now. Too many uptight people around, in an otherwise healthy and educational forum.

 

[woofy]

to the op, what size tank is this for? my experience with blood parrots (and i have had them with severums before) is that while bullies, in a large enough tank with their own space and not bugged themselves they will usually leave tank mates alone. That being said if a blood parrot does decide to bully or be aggressive the wort ive seen them do is a lite chase off and nudge, ive never seen my bps kill anyone or injure anyone badly. Now visa versa, your severum should not even care much for the blood parrot, from my experience severums arent aggressive at all (compared to most sa/ca cichlids) or territorial, im speaking from what ive seen in my own tanks, not going by the fish keeping books and care sheets and blah blah. in a large enough tank , i would say go ahead.

 

[TangoWRX]

If you have a severum in there and the discus is ok then there is a chance a BP could work. Yes the 'rules' say no but it doesn't mean it won't work.
I don't agree with Sevs being agressive and the ones I have kept have been placid and always minded their own.

You will always get people who think BPs are bad and try to put you off (due to being a hybrid), this is their oppinion and I suggest making your own mind on the subject. I have 4 very happy BPs and none are agressive, but they are far from shy which could upset your discus.
Also, as was said, you shouldn't really have a discus alone as they are schooling fish.

I say buy a young BP and keep a very close eye, if the discus gets stressed then take it back. You might get lucky and get a BP that goes well.

 

[jgentry]

You didn't answer his question
And this is your opinion not facts written in stone.
There are many exceptions, and things can work out just fine for many people who dare try, and think outside the box, and STEP outside the box.


And sorry but i have never owned a blood parrot so i cannot help you with this

It is not called thinking outside the box. It is called torchering a discus for 6 months to a year until it finally dies from stress and improper care. I can tell you that there is zero chance of the discus living a full and happy life in that setup. If you think otherwise you know nothing of discus.

Sorry to be so blunt but discus are near and dear to me and people that buy them and have no idea what they are doing frustrate me.

To the OP. This is your chance to learn and do what is best for your fish. If you want to keep discus get rid of your severums and everything else and get 5 more discus. If you don't want to do this please find someone that will give it proper care. You may think it is doing fine and your tank works perfect, but in fact it will not work long term. Keeping a fish successfully means giving it the best opertunity to live it's full lifespan which you are not doing. If you want to keep the severums and you want the BP that is fine. The BP will bicker with them but it cannot do any real damage. They can't even close there mouths. All they can really do it headbutt your other fish. Just get rid of the discus

You did not say what size your tank is?

 

[ibz_rg]

It is not called thinking outside the box. It is called torchering a discus for 6 months to a year until it finally dies from stress and improper care. I can tell you that there is zero chance of the discus living a full and happy life in that setup. If you think otherwise you know nothing of discus.

Sorry to be so blunt but discus are near and dear to me and people that buy them and have no idea what they are doing frustrate me.

To the OP. This is your chance to learn and do what is best for your fish. If you want to keep discus get rid of your severums and everything else and get 5 more discus. If you don't want to do this please find someone that will give it proper care. You may think it is doing fine and your tank works perfect, but in fact it will not work long term. Keeping a fish successfully means giving it the best opertunity to live it's full lifespan which you are not doing. If you want to keep the severums and you want the BP that is fine. The BP will bicker with them but it cannot do any real damage. They can't even close there mouths. All they can really do it headbutt your other fish. Just get rid of the discus

You did not say what size your tank is?

I believe the word you're looking for is torturing.

But yes, I agree. BPs can have a very agressive temprament. I keep mine with other aggressive species and it does just fine, but with discus, that's a huge risk. It's risk enough, as stated above, to have sevs with them.