Hoplarchus psittacus / Parrot Cichlids:

[notho2000]

Very nice.

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Thanks, Thomas.

I loved mine but, once it got to 7" or so became way to aggressive killed my Indo Dat and, was starting to bully my polypterus around so he had to go. I hope to be able to house some again. My favorite Cichlid

One of my favorites too. They can be rough but most of the cichlids I keep are.

definitely one of the classiest cichlids. I'd really like to try them someday.

They're well worth a try. Raising them from a small size together in a large tank is the way to go. When a pair forms, pull the others out. It's good to have a few large target cichlids in there to help keep things under control and allow the pair bond to hold.

Very nice, any breeding behaviors ?


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They have bred for me several times.

I'd say most likely would be fine, at least at a smaller size. My 4-5" parrot only seems to care about conspecifics very similar in body structure to himself. He doesn't care about my chocolate at all. When it comes to central and south americans, we all know one fish can have totally different temperament than many of the species.

Good points.

Beautiful fish!

Thank you. I'm pretty proud of them.

Is my memory correct that you keep all your fish without altering ph or hardness and that your water isn't what is considered ideal for this guys. I've always read these guys are one ofthe species where these parameters matter but yours look great, and spawned as well if I remember correctly.

You're right Brian, in that I don't alter my water from the tap. I've got a lot of driftwood in there and the tannins probably lower the pH some but I've never checked it. Hardness is about 185 ppm TDS and pH averages 7.53 in water tested in 2013 by Winnipeg Water and Waste. It certainly doesn't fall within the parameters considered ideal for SA cichlids and psittacus in particular but it hasn't been a noticeable problem for mine. I also keep several Satanoperca (daemon, acuticeps, and leucosticta) and so far so good on those.

 

[Steigy]

i bought a few of these guys in April. 1" babies they have doubled in size since ive gotten them. glad to finally have myself some

 

[Steigy]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=762723940434668&set=vb.100000912079750&type=2&theater heres a video of 2 of them sparring.

 

[cyberhog05]

I had one I grew out from a couple inches, he became terribly aggressive. Some bad I had to sell him. It was a sad day. I'll be buying a trio of them once my big tank is set you for my aro. Give it another go

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[notho2000]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=762723940434668&set=vb.100000912079750&type=2&theater heres a video of 2 of them sparring.

I had one I grew out from a couple inches, he became terribly aggressive. Some bad I had to sell him. It was a sad day. I'll be buying a trio of them once
my big tank is set you for my aro. Give it another go.
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Good luck with your Parrots, fellows.

 

[TheSinisterSOB]

What's the growth rate on this species? Would like to add these to a large cichlid tank one day.

 

[notho2000]

What's the growth rate on this species? Would like to add these to a large cichlid tank one day.

In a year, they should reach 5 or 6".

 

[wild bill]

Jim I saw Spencer had some on his last list.
I was wondering what it took to get your parrots to spawn and were you able to raise any fry. These are a fish that is seldom seen for sale and I think might be good to have on hand for our customers to see.

 

[notho2000]

Jim I saw Spencer had some on his last list.
I was wondering what it took to get your parrots to spawn and were you able to raise any fry. These are a fish that is seldom seen for sale and I think might be good to have on hand for our customers to see.

The Parrot cichlids that Spencer has been selling over the last year or so are from this pair. He still has a few (11) left on his listing. I raised up about 200 from their first spawn (didn't keep any other fry from successive spawns) and distributed them through aFISHionados. The market for this incredible fish is not that great, since they don't sexually mature for 18 months to two years of age and they get large (14" males, 10" females) so a lot of people aren't willing or able to set up for them. I have two compatible pair each in its own tank. The pair bonds are very stable. I didn't really do anything special to get them to spawn. Just the usual ... good food, water and tank maintenance.

 

[wild bill]

Thank you for the info. So what you are saying about spawning them is all you need is good clean Canadian water and good tank care.
I will have to think about getting some. Spencer's shipping cost is really good right now that sure helps sweeten the deal on getting some. Once again thanks for the info.