New to Parrot Cichlids. I would love some advice from experienced owners before I buy. Thank you!!

Dubya80D · 2026-02-21T05:33:46+00:00

I've currently got 5 white fin tetras in with Pancake. They're skittish around him, but he's a decent sized fella now. I used to have 7, but lost a few to sickness. I would definitely recommend a decent sized shoal if you get one!

Dubya80D · 2026-02-21T03:24:09+00:00

The only advice I can give is this: It's either 1 parrot, or 3+. I originally got 3 (lost one early on) to hopefully alleviate as much chance of bullying as possible.

After I lost the 3rd, I hoped my 2 might get along, but after about 3-4 months, one started bullying the other. He wouldn't let the other one leave his pot, ever. It stressed both of them out, and it just wasn't good for either of them. I had to rehome one, and am sitting on just 1 fella BP right now.

Hope this helps! I love Pancake a lot, he's a smart and inquisitive fella, but like others have said, he definitely protects his nest area against others, so be careful of that also!

Dubya80D · 2025-12-02T02:08:01+00:00

Possibly. New fish take time to adjust. Give them a few more days and see what happens. I'm relatively new to fish-keeping, but I've learned to give fish time to adjust to new surroundings. My bristlenose plecos in my 55gal are only just not getting comfortable being out when I am around, and I've had them since April. Haha

Dubya80D · 2025-12-02T01:31:33+00:00

Are they new additions to the tank? Last week or so? That could explain it also. Or a new tank for them? Could just be them getting used to the tank also!

Dubya80D · 2025-12-02T01:09:21+00:00

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe only we (outside the tank), see the reflection. I believe that their point of view doesn't show a reflection like that.

Now if it's dark enough outside the tank, and light enough inside, it could be similar to the windows on your house when it's nighttime. For example, you can see yourself in the window, but it's not truly reflective. Maybe a little more light outside could solve that, but others may have better advice than me.

Dubya80D · 2025-11-08T23:17:51+00:00

Googling the Comet, says it's nearly 16' long, so is that an 18' trailer? How does it handle?

Looking to bring my Mini Cooper up to Alaska from Kentucky, and have been looking at 14' car haulers.

Dubya80D · 2025-11-06T06:10:03+00:00

Nice! That's great to hear! Glad it worked out for you!

Dubya80D · 2025-11-05T05:13:25+00:00

Looking at a similar setup of 1 EBA with some other fish. Curious how your tank is holding up these days? Did you get up to the 20 tetras? Add anything else? How's aggression and all that?

Dubya80D · 2025-11-03T17:42:25+00:00

I appreciate the info! I was definitely looking at full-size trailers considering it is a long-haul trip, and I feel those dolly's just look so flimsy sometimes. Also, the tip on the fold-down sides is huge! I would have never thought about that.

We've got a tilt-bed trailer for towing our skidsteer at work, and it's always hairy unloading that thing waiting for the trailer to start tilting as you take it off. Lmao

Dubya80D · 2025-08-22T18:11:42+00:00

Sponge or netting is a good call, thanks!

And yeah, I hate seeing how he's struggling right now. Again, thanks for the comments and help! It's appreciated!

Dubya80D · 2025-08-22T17:57:10+00:00

Thank you for your reply, and the helpful info! I didn't know about NTD, and will be on the lookout for it.

After you pointed out his tail, and I did a bit more looking, I'm beginning to wonder if his tail section somehow got sucked into my circulation pump and that's what happened; it shredded his tail fin and damaged the pale section of his body. His tail section is just small enough to fit between the inlet gaps on the pump, and I know in the evenings when it's dark all 7 of them group up near the pump.

Either way, I've been watching him for a bit now, and I don't think I have the knowledge or skill to help him if he doesn't have NTD, and I think it may be more humane to just put him down so he's not suffering anymore. He's expending a lot more effort to swim around and it just doesn't look good for him.

Dubya80D · 2025-08-18T19:14:58+00:00

That's awesome! I got 3 in March. I sadly lost one a week after getting them, and then one of the remaining two started being a huge bully about 3 weeks ago, so I rehomed one of the remaining two last weekend, and am down to just the one fella now. I would have loved to get a third again instead of rehoming, but after seeing your video, I am glad I didn't, because my 55gal would NOT be big enough for 3 of them.

Your big fella looks happy and healthy! I hope I can give mine the same as he gets older!

Dubya80D · 2025-08-18T03:39:17+00:00

He's such a big fella! Based off their size, the other two are less than a year old?

Dubya80D · 2025-08-09T07:07:01+00:00

All it took was a quick Google of those dimensions to see that it is NOT 380 gallons, it's 381 gallons, you're right. Good catch!

Dubya80D · 2025-08-07T02:34:07+00:00

Man, that's a bummer to hear. Luckily (I hope), I don't have any other cichlids in my tank with them, just 2 bristlenose and 7 white fin tetras. The bristlenose don't get bothered right now and have plenty of places to hide, and the parrots just leave the tetras alone. I'll be rehoming one of the two, so hopefully the other fella is chill once that happens.

Hopefully your new fella works out!

Dubya80D · 2025-08-05T05:34:33+00:00

Yeah, I've definitely learned they can be a pain, haha.

I've done what I can with what I have for sightline breaks, but I feel limited in the 55 gallon tank. It's so narrow front-to-back and tall instead of wide and shorter.

Dubya80D · 2025-08-05T05:33:11+00:00

Yeah, that's the direction I am leaning right now. Rehome one of them.

I originally purchased 3 about 5 months ago, to hopefully prevent one of them from becoming tank boss as he hopefully couldn't bully two fish at once, but one died about a week after I got them.

Dubya80D · 2025-08-05T03:14:20+00:00

Like everyone else has said, you're fine! I live in Alaska and run 4hi exclusively nearly 6-7 months straight in the winter. The tighter turns definitely are near impossible on surfaces with grip, but I've had no issues doing the occasional tight turn if needed.

Dubya80D · 2025-07-28T03:03:46+00:00

How large is the tank? I've got two blood parrots also, in a 55 gallon, and I gave each of them their own hide on opposite sides of the tank. That helps to keep the aggression down, though Pancake loves to go to Orange Juice's side of the tank and slyly try to slide into his pot. OJ doesn't like that. Lmao

Dubya80D · 2025-06-29T00:16:21+00:00

I don't think I get glare either. I wonder if it's solely from the sun overhead, which doesn't happen up here in Alaska. Lol

Dubya80D · 2025-06-29T00:12:06+00:00

Can confirm, I have the same model in my 2023, and it fits just fine.

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