Hoplarchus psittacus - Co-existing?

[House 64]

I purchased 4 Hoplarchus psittacus (True Parrots) from Ewok a couple of months ago. He previously had them separated due to aggression issues towards eachother, I have done the same thing to prevent injury or death. I am currently trying to downsize my collection of tanks and would like to consolidate these fish into a community tank with eachother..... IS THIS POSSIBLE? Do you think they can live together in a 240g (8 foot tank)? They're currently 6"-9". ULTIMATELY I would like them to pair off..... I'm thinking that's just a matter of luck. Thanks.

 

[House 64]

**** Cough ****

Anybody?

 

[robmcd]

Dude sean, you are a very lucky man indeed to have those. I was lookin high and low for them for months and got nowhere. They should be cool in the 240 when I pick it up or ya in the next week. Gary has 3 in his 240 with some other cichlids as well as some clown loaches and they seem pretty cool and mellow. Hell, they have even paired up and spawned a couple times. Thats the fish that we need to get to spawning around here......

 

[Dennis]

There are 3 of these at my lfs all around 8 inches. A lady bought them in because they outgrew the tank. They have them seperated in 3 tanks. I was going to buy them but when I read how aggresive they got, I changed my mind. I am in the UK by the way.

 

[Dennis]

I also read that they have to be at least 5 years old before they will breed. The guy said that he bred them whilst seperated. They spawned on a flat rock which had a holed divider across it. Not all the eggs were fertilized, but most were. He said the only problem after that was what to do with the young, fish shops were not interested.

 

[Peanut_Power]

I also read that they have to be at least 5 years old before they will breed. The guy said that he bred them whilst seperated. They spawned on a flat rock which had a holed divider across it. Not all the eggs were fertilized, but most were. He said the only problem after that was what to do with the young, fish shops were not interested.

Actually, its at least two years, not as long, but still pretty long. Plus they grow so large, which most people don't realize, so breeding them is rather difficult.

They are great fish, and by no means overly aggressive. I've always kept mine together, whether its a 55gal, 75gal, or 300gal. Really, they are one of the more mellow cichlids out there. They will stand up for themselves though, and go great with a lot of the larger, more aggressive cichlids.

I'd try putting them together, it looks awesome seeing them cruise the tank together... There might be some aggression and all, but they'll quickly set up a dominance thingy, and be cool.

 

[House 64]

Thanks everyone for the info. When I got them from Ewok I was informed that the larger ones were pretty aggressive towards the others. They were divided and still are divided. They try to peck at eachother thru the divider..... but I think I'll give it a shot when I get the larger tank cycled.