A club for owners of Parrot Cichlids

Thank you everyone for your compassion (either for me or my BP). I had to bring LuLu back to a hospital tank. I expected that all the back and forth between tanks would stress her completely; but she is doing just a tiny bit better than last night. At least she ate a tiny bit of food (frozen blood worms proved easier for her to get at and more of a treat than mini cichlid pellets, so I went with that~ plus no presoak wait time). Eventhough the water checked back fine yesterday, I did a partial change, replaced the filter, and removed much of the sand (possible waste deposits contaminants underneath??).

Anyway, I am a little exhausted after a long day at work and it took a lot to give all the extra nurturing to LuLu between redundant tank maintenance and keeping a watchful eye (although its well deserved). When she completely stabilizes I am interested in giving LuLu away to someone with a larger tank and a healthy, playful group of tank mates for her. Let me know if you are interested.

On a different note: Although I appreciate all the feedback and tough love given regarding the clinical, albeit good attempts at being heartfelt, "How-To's" and "Told You So's" for Blood Parrots...Kizzy and LuLu were always playful, friendly fish towards one another and tank mates. They did not fight or become aggressive or homicidle like some of the awful tank stories I've read about on this and other websites. So, again, I urge you to consider the temperment and likes & dislikes of your individual BPs. No two BP seem to be alike. My two were just as social and vibrant in a 16gal bow-front as they were in the past in a 60gal rectangular tank. They were never shy or combative. They did not grow in size quickly at all (Kizzy approx 4" or 5" including tailfin; LuLu about 3") I purchased them very small (although Kizzy was a tad larger). I do, however, believe I failed Kizzy by being so busy with work, errands, etc that I didn't exactly notice that maybe she had been ill earlier and this may not have been as sudden as it seemed. That, and because her energy level, appetite, and color never gave sign or symptoms of trouble... Well, it's just LuLu now and her gang of sidekicks. We will make the best of it. I realize now that I am not able to focus so much effort to my aquarium (however small) as I had in the past, so please let me know if you are interested in adopting a sweet, active BP once she has recovered. Thanks.

Thanks for the tough love. I supposed there was room because there were no decoratives to take up space (just black sand and a neon thingy they like to poke at and push around). I only have 1each of the other fish (there were 2rainbow) and everyone seems to do well. The pletcos I give away in exchange for a baby pletco everytime they get about 3". Everyone else in the tank is max size (still tiny) except my BP. LuLu is actually depressed. It's obvious~ and sad. She stays in one corner of the tank at the top, starring at her own reflection. Her color is faded, which is strange because she was originally a brilliant yellow until 2weeks after Kizzy was first introduced to the tank (1.5+ years ago). She then turned a bold orange to match Kizzy, and the two were inseperable right until earlier today when we lost Kiz. Right now the bubbler sits flush to the tank back, but doesn't appear to crowd the bow-front tank. Maybe that's just from the outside looking in?? Anyway, LuLu isn't eating. Water checked back fine. I'm stuck and need advice that, I guess of course, doesn't include adding another fish.

I had given away my 60gal tank and all the fish except my two BP because I've had them so long. The portable was bought to transport the giveways to my friend's place, she returned it. No, I didn't have a bubbler on the 16gal for the past year- just the filtration system. I kept the water level somewhat lowered to produce bubbles from the filter system. I was told that was just fine for the smaller tank. Everyone (fish) has been doing great for a year with that same setup. The thing with Kizzy was a surprise. I'm going to get my water tested in an hour or so, but LuLu is behaving shy and seperate from the other fish (in mourning??). I wouldn't normally have replaced Kizzy so quickly but I'm considering buying LuLu another playmate so the tank can recover emotionally?? But after what I've learned about the dye process~ I don't want to support that system by getting more BP. :-\ What is a good tank mate for LuLu that grows moderately slow? Upto 5-6" tops because I won't have a larger tank again anytime soon. Thank you again. {other fish are: red tail shark, rainbows, pletco, majestic beta, majestic snail, and a spotted catfish (not Cori)... all are tank veterans for at least past 7months}