Hoplarchus psittacus

[Quo Vadis]

To anyone who has Hoplarchus psittacus, AKA, the Green Parrot, tell me about them! Especially in regards to aggression level, mature size, and tank size needed. I have read tjey are not that aggressive except toward each other. Is that true?How would they do with fish like Geophagus Surimensis and Uarus? How large of fish will they eat?
Thanks!

 

[ryansmith83]

They should do okay with other large cichlids, but mine certainly wanted to be the boss of the tank. If you put them in with stuff like large pike cichlids they will flare gills and face off with the pikes. Mine started to turn aggressive toward each other at about 5 - 6" so I rehomed all but one single psittacus. He shared his tank with large geos (G. winemilleri and G. brachybranchus), two Crenicichla lenticulata, and a mated pair of Atabapo severums. He was about 13" when I lost him due to water issues. I had him in a 6' x 2' 210 gallon tank and he made it look like a 75 gallon. They need a very large space, especially if you pair them with other large cichlids, not just for aggression reasons but also because they are sensitive to poor water quality. Stay on top of your water changes and keep your nitrates below 20ppm but preferably at 10ppm or below. Otherwise you may see HITH, to which they are very susceptible.

 

[Quo Vadis]

Thanks! Did you have any non-cichlids in with him? There would be some fairly benign bottom dwellers in there (Ropefish, elephantnose fish), as well as some large tetras (Congos)

 

[ryansmith83]

Only a large chocolate pleco, which he mostly ignored. They will definitely go after anything smaller than themselves. I added some 4" rainbow cichlids once, thinking they'd make nice peaceful dithers, and he quickly cornered them and murdered two before I could net them back out. Ditto with a 6" Saxatilis pike which was smart enough to hide under driftwood until I could net it back out -- though the psittacus sat patiently just outside the little hole in the driftwood with his hunting camo engaged (the dark blue mottled pattern) waiting on the pike to make a run for it. Once they get up there in size (10"+) they aren't playing around anymore.

 

[mrrobxc]

Mine are aggressive as well. It's 9 inches or so and is the only fish that can put up with my pikes. They even molest RTM and festae.