Blood parrot

[Hamburgler]

A 5g is fine for one or two bp's assuming they are under 5". Its only temporary and with a secure lid there is no risk of them jumping.

 

[SinisterKisses]

...I really hope the "5gal" part was a typo?

 

[roark fishies]

IMO adding another 10g instead of a 5g..would be a better option..You will need to QT the BP's and a 5g would be too small for them for 3 to 4 weeks.

P.S. I know your on that other forum so you probably already know this, but the normal coloration is red or orange with dark blotches or all orange or red, so be weary of any other "color variations".

I'm just thinking as small as possible as my husband doesn't adore this hobby as much as I do. Plus, I'm a stay at home mom so I don't contribute financially so I'm thinking the least amount of expense as possible as well. Besides I just want a single bp. I could put the neons in the 5G and QT the bp is the 10G.
I knew about the color thing. I don't want anything dyed. Apparently any kind of black on them is a bad thing too.

 

[roark fishies]

I have an extra 5 gallon tank

How much ya asking? I might be interested if u can beat Walmart.

 

[roark fishies]

...I really hope the "5gal" part was a typo?

Nope. Why?

 

[emmanuelchavez]

How much ya asking? I might be interested if u can beat Walmart.

I don't know yet. I'm trying to debate whether to sell it for $20 (I only used it for like 3 weeks lol), or just save it as an emergency tank. If I get my 75 gallon within 2 months though, i'll be selling.

 

[sphed]

I like blood parrots and have always wanted one but I think their behavior is unpredictable. I have seen them in community tanks. Today i went to my lfs and saw them in a tank with two oscars and they were holding their own. I would keep them in a semi aggressive tank with tiger barbs as dither fish.

 

[Hamburgler]

Nope. Why?

I wonder why too....its TEMPORARY.

 

[SinisterKisses]

Temporary is still a few weeks if you're using it as a quaranteen tank, and it's too small for that unless you get like a 1" BP.

Where did you hear that black on a BP was bad, and were you given a reason as to why it's bad? I'm curious, I've never heard that before...

 

[brian1973]

Where did you hear that black on a BP was bad, and were you given a reason as to why it's bad? I'm curious, I've never heard that before...

Have to agree here I researched mine as well before buying and found that black was normal, and will comes and go's as they mature, usually becoming an orange fish but adulthood. Most of the ones i have seen have been black with some orange color unless dyed or the "blood" reds.

 

[roark fishies]

A couple different sites said the black was a sign of stress caused by acclimating and/or poor water quality. Could be a parasite. Could be fungus. Alot of different theories on it. It seems to be normal and apparently it isn't contagious to other fish. Seems to be limited to only bp's. Let me see if I can find a link real quick.....
Here's a forum on it:
ParrotCichlid.com - A Club for Blood Parrot Cichlid Owners

Here's another:
Parrot Cichlid Healthcare

Please remember, I don't know any of this by experience. Just by what I've been reading. Don't shoot the messenger.

 

[brian1973]

hmmm...I remember that same site saying the black was normal and ould fade and disppear with age, I hav never seen a BP (not including dyed/ blood red strain)that was not black to some degree.

Anyway where do you stand on this purchase now?

 

[SinisterKisses]

It's not only applicable to BP's, and the only reason BP's get it is because of their mixed breeding. It's actually a trait of Midas and Red Devil cichlids, which make up a very big portion of the BP's bloodlines. This is why I was asking. Black comes and goes on these fish all throughout their growth stage. They are known for going through numerous colour changes as juveniles. The black is usually just an indicator that something has changed - not necessarily bad, not necessarily good. It could mean the water quality has changed to a "bad" level, or it could just be that the temp changed, food changed, decor changed, tankmates changed, so on and so forth. It's really not something to worry about as long as you keep track of/maintain proper water params.

 

[roark fishies]

Ok, cool. Then I won't really worry about trying to find one without black on it.

hmmm...I remember that same site saying the black was normal and ould fade and disppear with age, I hav never seen a BP (not including dyed/ blood red strain)that was not black to some degree.

Anyway where do you stand on this purchase now?

I'm still strongly considering it. It's either a bp or a pair of angels. I really want the bp though. I'm in no hurry at all. I'm either gonna buy a 5G and do some fish rearranging or just wait til the neons in the 10G die and then do some fish rearranging. The latter choice leaves me with no hospital tank though. I'm definately not gonna get a bp until I can get my dwarf gourami into the 10G.

Definately thanks to all of you for your help. You gave me alot of things to think about. I want my fish to have the best possible living arrangements!