Are they compatible?

[Stibnite]

Are you talking about H. psittacus or the hybrid parrot that you just bred?

IME both grow fairly fast, either particularly likes digging, and they don't hide much.

In a way they have somewhat similar temperament - they are not troublemakers, but are not pushovers either.

Depends on the size of the fish, a 60 x 18 x 20 100g might be ok as a temporary home. I would not recommend keeping a pair of H. psittacus pair in a tank smaller than a 6x2x2 180g for long term.

Given proper care they will be massive and magnificent. Good choice of fish

I am referring to the regular Hoplarchus psittacus species, not the Hybrid Parrots. I have a tank with 3 Parrots, 2 Chocolates (was three, but one died recently due to a freak accident), 3 Uaru, 1 Pacu, 8 Oscars, 1 Large Royal Spotted Pleco, and a strangely wussy Flowerhorn. If all goes well, I plan to add my Giant Gourami to that mix soon as he's large enough.

They "won't hide much" ONLY if you don't give them places to hide. Grant them a minimum of two places (per fish) large enough to call a home, and watch them go substrate digging and house decorating.

In my tank, the Uaru, Pacu, Flowerhorn and Oscars are the open swimmers. The rest enjoy their homes, and come out to play--but usually just when I get home and it's feeding time.

Of course, as with all fish, nothing is a sure science, so close observation should be kept in consideration when mixing any species of fish--as you never know when you'll have that evil Jurupari that wipes half your tank of larger fish in one night, or that whimpy Flowerhorn that wouldn't fight a 2" tiger barb without losing (I bring those up because I've personally witnessed both in the hobby).

Generally depends on the fish and the type of environment provided for the fish. I certainly think you should try it, and if it succeeds, it will be a truly rewarding experience for you in the long run.

Oh, almost forgot to mention I have a small group of Silver and Blushing Tinfoil Barbs in the tank as well. I suppose Barbs are considered a given in any large aquatic cichlid setting, but I figured they at least deserve an honorable mention.

 

[peathenster]

I am referring to the regular Hoplarchus psittacus species, not the Hybrid Parrots. I have a tank with 3 Parrots, 2 Chocolates (was three, but one died recently due to a freak accident), 3 Uaru, 1 Pacu, 8 Oscars, 1 Large Royal Spotted Pleco, and a strangely wussy Flowerhorn. If all goes well, I plan to add my Giant Gourami to that mix soon as he's large enough.

They "won't hide much" ONLY if you don't give them places to hide. Grant them a minimum of two places (per fish) large enough to call a home, and watch them go substrate digging and house decorating.

In my tank, the Uaru, Pacu, Flowerhorn and Oscars are the open swimmers. The rest enjoy their homes, and come out to play--but usually just when I get home and it's feeding time.

Of course, as with all fish, nothing is a sure science, so close observation should be kept in consideration when mixing any species of fish--as you never know when you'll have that evil Jurupari that wipes half your tank of larger fish in one night, or that whimpy Flowerhorn that wouldn't fight a 2" tiger barb without losing (I bring those up because I've personally witnessed both in the hobby).

Generally depends on the fish and the type of environment provided for the fish. I certainly think you should try it, and if it succeeds, it will be a truly rewarding experience for you in the long run.

Oh, almost forgot to mention I have a small group of Silver and Blushing Tinfoil Barbs in the tank as well. I suppose Barbs are considered a given in any large aquatic cichlid setting, but I figured they at least deserve an honorable mention.

Do you mind me asking how big the tank is?

 

[Stibnite]

Do you mind me asking how big the tank is?

These are set up in one of my 8', 300 Gallon aquariums.

Out of the above, the only thing I don't recommend is the Pacu.

Chances are, I will need to get an even larger tank for him later on.

My neighbor gave me the Pacu when it outgrew the 5G tank he "thought" it could live in.

I'll have to make a choice at that time... spend $$ on a larger tank that I don't have room for, or contact a local taxidermist.

 

[peathenster]

These are set up in one of my 8', 300 Gallon aquariums.

Out of the above, the only thing I don't recommend is the Pacu.

Chances are, I will need to get an even larger tank for him later on.

My neighbor gave me the Pacu when it outgrew the 5G tank he "thought" it could live in.

I'll have to make a choice at that time... spend $$ on a larger tank that I don't have room for, or contact a local taxidermist.

LOL I agree.... I've seen people taking big pacus back to lfs that they grew out in 10, 20g tanks.

And there is a third option...it's more fulFILLing

 

[Sarah88]

wasnt there someone on here who ate their pacu because it was picking on some of the other fish or something? i hear its good....

 

[Mule]

Thanks for the opinions guys...I will put them together. They're just too nice to resist. As for Pacu, they're very tasty. I've had a type that almost reminded me of lamb!

 

[Stibnite]

LOL I agree.... I've seen people taking big pacus back to lfs that they grew out in 10, 20g tanks.

And there is a third option...it's more fulFILLing

LOL! My wife is Filipina, so you have no idea how hard it is for me to keep 1 foot+ fish off the dinner table with her around.

Her mother saw my Tilapia tank from the webcam and asked if we were raising our own fish for eating?

In the Philippines, they regularly eat Tilapia, Pacu, Arowana, and Giant Gourami. I couldn't bare to go into some of the Philippine markets because of it. All I could think of was how nice that fish could have looked in my tanks.

On a side note, eating my Pacu should be great for health seeing he's made up of about 95% vegetable and fruit matter. I might have to give option #3 some thought...