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Comments
Re: Recomendations;
Oh I should also say, I did not add these fish all at once. I added them VERY CAREFULLY. Research whatever kind of fish you are interested in and don't believe a thing you hear from the people at the fish store unless you verify here first. Be wary of them - for the most part, they just want to sell you fish. I have been away from this site for a little while, but this is the best place online for information about BPs.
Re: Recomendations;
I love having other fish in my tank with my BPs and I think they are cool with it. I have four BPs (5-8 inches) in a 90 gallon tank with two cories, two giant danios and five blue congos. The blue congos are my favorite "dither" fish...they are just so beautiful and if you get them when they are big enough, the BPs can't eat them...they swim fast. A handy rule of thumb, besides what is mentioned here already, when you are looking for fish to go with your BPs - NEVER get anything small enough to fit in their mouths no matter what it is - because it WILL end up in their mouth! LOL. I also have a Valentine Syno. Catfish who is about 3.5-4 inches long who hides all the time, but is really cool when he comes out to eat. I think you are fine with two BPs in a 55 gallon tank as long as you don't get too many other fish and definitely no more BPs. My BPs don't even notice the other fish in the tank and the tank is quite nice with activity.
why dither?
Can you tell me why you want a 'dither' fish?
re:
I'd like some dither fish because they'll encourage my parrots to come out of hiding hahah
a dither fish is just some kind of fish that is brave and stays out and it basically tells the hiding fish its okay to come out,. :)
Re: Dither Fish
It is common that parrot fish hide until they feel comfortable and trust.
Mine were that way at first. These fish are smart. Eventually they will accept you. Then they will (usually) be afraid of others. Then as they get older they like most everyone.
I am not saying they are never a good Idea, They need to be a fish that can handle a BP's abuse and they have got to be added correctly. (They can't be fish that will grow and hurt the BPs. I is a balancing act, that doesn't always work. The temperment of your BP has a lot to do with it.
I am beginning to think one BP might be closer to people as they don't have other fish to play with. I don't know that, but I have read many posts about more than one BP and they are not as friendly. This may just be a fluke. I know that they learn the food dance very quickly. They learn where the food comes from. It doesn't take long to get then eating out of your fingers.
Every Parrot is different. I am assuming they all can be like mine. But mine is spoiled.
My biggest negative about adding fish, is the risk to loose your BPs. Or start a fight among your BPs. Too many people don't know how to add fish to their aquarium safely. Then they end up loosing or almost loosing the fish they love.
You need to know exactly what you are doing to be safe. You have to have a spare tank, for the new fish to be in for at least a month. Then you need to be prepared to remove the dither fish and take care of them in another tank, if there is a problem with the BPs.
I have two Cory cats in with my Bp. They were here and healthy for months. In the beginning my BP thought she would play destroy the new moving things. Then when she laid eggs she tried to kill them. She stayed near the eggs so they stayed away, She is used to them now, but occasionally she has to say she's boss. At least they have some built in protection.
If anything my dither fish, just get in my BP's way.
As you can tell, I don't rush into doing anything when it comes to my BP.
I have had her for years and don't see why I should not have her for many more.
dither fish
I only have a 36 gallon tank with two bps. Should I have any dither fish?
tank size
your fish are ok for now but as a general rule , it is recommended that one parrot has at least 30 gall with another 10 galls for every one added, BUT size is not the only consideration, tank maintenance is very important, sometimes you can get away with a slightly smaller tank if you are prepared to do more frequent water changes, I would add a few corys(need to be in a group of 6) and start saving up for a bigger tank, the corys can look after themselves and they give the parrots something to chase about( my corys couldn't care less about being chased, they are fast and small enough to get under rocks etc if they want to, also they dont add much to the bio load, they also encourage parrots to come out of hiding because a) they see other fish swimming about and b) the parrots want to keep their territory theirs
Re: Dither Fish
I would imagine your BPs are small now. They will get BIG. Most say you need a 60gal. tank. I have one BP and have a 60gal tank. So you will outgrow your tank with just the two BPs.
If you will read many of the comments on this site, many BPs get sick from adding another fish. Many Die.
If you have to add a dither fish, you need to quarantee it for at least a month. Cory cats are good. But you don't need them.
Parrots are normally friendly, and if work with them they will respond to you and come out, and own the tank. Being shy when they are young is normal.
If your tank is healthy, I wouldn't mess with it.
You are lucky if your 2 BPs get along.
dithers
I have 8 corys, 6 blue congos, thats just right in my 95 gall tank together with 4 parrots
Re: Recomendations;
black skirt tetraswouldworkikeep my bps black skirt tetras and others
Re: Recomendations;
I like corys because they get along with everyone and they can be very active. Some danios or larger tetras would work also.
sorry
i just sent u a message basically asking u the same thing!:) id like to know the answer too.