True Parrot Cichlid,

[WOLF2013]

Really debating whether or not I should get one. Will it do ok in my South American display? It has Severums (3 greens, 1 rotkeil and 2 red spotted) and 2 chocolate cichlid males. Will it do ok with the other cichlids? There are some flagtails and catfish and silver dollars also. I keep my ph at 6.8-7.2. Temp 78 degrees. Water changes 2x a week. Tank 90 gallons but have a 180 gallon on the way just awaiting to make the final payments. I have a payment plan with my lfs. I have 2 or 3 more to go.
I am ordering some South American fish later today and the true parrots are available in stock. Always been a dream fish of mine. Do you think he will do ok with my severums and chocolates? The chocolates are dominant bosses so I think they will keep the parrot in check.
Lots of driftwood and caves in aquarium.
What else should I know?

 

[ryansmith83]

I wouldn’t do this until you have the larger tank. psittacus are fast growers and in most cases will want to dominate the tank. Mine absolutely hated chocolate cichlids, probably because they have very similar shape and occupy the same areas of the tank, so they’re likely viewed as competition. At 14” mine forced me to rehome my chocolates or it would have killed them.

psittacus are blackwater fish and as such are prone to HITH unless you keep the water pristine. I also keep them warmer, in the 80 - 82F range. They will require lots of clean water. They will in most cases eat any small fish you add. Mine even hunted down smaller cichlids at night. It did best with large, sturdy tankmates like big Geophagus or mouthbrooding Heros liberifer. It constantly challenged and fought with lugubris-type pikes.

I would never recommend adult psittacus for anything less than a 6’ x 2’ tank.

 

[duanes]

I wouldn’t do this until you have the larger tank. psittacus are fast growers and in most cases will want to dominate the tank. Mine absolutely hated chocolate cichlids, probably because they have very similar shape and occupy the same areas of the tank, so they’re likely viewed as competition. At 14” mine forced me to rehome my chocolates or it would have killed them.

psittacus are blackwater fish and as such are prone to HITH unless you keep the water pristine. I also keep them warmer, in the 80 - 82F range. They will require lots of clean water. They will in most cases eat any small fish you add. Mine even hunted down smaller cichlids at night. It did best with large, sturdy tankmates like big Geophagus or mouthbrooding Heros liberifer. It constantly challenged and fought with lugubris-type pikes.

I would never recommend adult psittacus for anything less than a 6’ x 2’ tank.

Agree with Ryan

 

[WOLF2013]

I wouldn’t do this until you have the larger tank. psittacus are fast growers and in most cases will want to dominate the tank. Mine absolutely hated chocolate cichlids, probably because they have very similar shape and occupy the same areas of the tank, so they’re likely viewed as competition. At 14” mine forced me to rehome my chocolates or it would have killed them.

psittacus are blackwater fish and as such are prone to HITH unless you keep the water pristine. I also keep them warmer, in the 80 - 82F range. They will require lots of clean water. They will in most cases eat any small fish you add. Mine even hunted down smaller cichlids at night. It did best with large, sturdy tankmates like big Geophagus or mouthbrooding Heros liberifer. It constantly challenged and fought with lugubris-type pikes.

I would never recommend adult psittacus for anything less than a 6’ x 2’ tank.

Thank you for your input. I will pass on the true parrot cichlid and maybe consider getting one when the 180 gets here.

 

[JackGutz]

May I ask how much the true parrot is going for in your area. I just saw some gorgeous parrots about 4-5 inches. 90 bucks

 

[WOLF2013]

May I ask how much the true parrot is going for in your area. I just saw some gorgeous parrots about 4-5 inches. 90 bucks

49 dollars

 

[JackGutz]

I would’ve already had one if that was the case here

 

[JackGutz]

I’m looking for a true parrot and a chocolate to round out my 180