Hiding Parrots

Hi All... Have a newly cycled (fishless cycle) 45 gallon to which I added 2 small parrot fish. (I know I will need a bigger tank in a year or so). I turned all the lights off in the room, and closed the one window blind. After acclimating the Parrots I placed them in the tank, and they immediately went into hiding. I did not realize they are that shy. I left the lights off, shut the door, and did not go into the den at all until the next morning. I have 2 castles where I think they are hiding. Should I take the castles out? To which I am afraid that will stress them out even more! They are the only 2 fish in the tank. So here is my question. I am concerned my good bacteria will die if they don't come out and eat, and I will have to recycle. What can I do to prevent this from happening. The only other fish I really want are some clown loaches. Should I purchase some of them??? Thanks for your help! Wishing you a great Sunday. Steve

Sorry, forgot my water parameters... Amon 0, Nitrite 0, NitrATe 5ppm, TDS 75, Ph 7.0, Temp 80. Water is 50% tap and 50% RO DI.

The parrots will still be excreting ammonia even if they don't eat, just not quite as much. Their metabolism will still still be working to produce waste products. And they may well be eating when you are not looking.

Unless you intend to upgrade to at tank at least 6 feet long x 2 feet wide, don't get clown loaches. They are big fish which need to be in a group of at least 6.

essjay said:

unless you intend to upgrade to at tank at least 6 feet long x 2 feet wide, don't get clown loaches. They are big fish which need to be in a group of at least 6.

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Understood. As much as I love the loaches I will not get them unless I get a 150 gal or so. What bottom eaters would you suggest given the water parameters my tank has ? Thank you for your help and comments !! Cheers !!

To be honest, most bottom dwellers really need sand substrate. With sand cories would be a good choice or in this size tank one of the smaller plec species.

It looks like all you have in the tank is the two castles, and the rest is the background/wallpaper on the tank? If so I'd recommend getting some live plants in there. Parrot fish can be a little rough on plants if I remember but getting some floating plants will provide cover and might make them feel safe enough to come out and explore. Some Java fern or anubias attached to rocks or wood might be a good choice as well.

If you don't want live plants, silk are a good option too. Live plants improve water quality which is why I always suggest them first.

squidneh said:

Some Java fern or anubias attached to rocks or wood might be a good choice as well.

If you don't want live plants, silk are a good option too. Live plants improve water quality which is why I always suggest them first.

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I do have some wood I am soaking. I will research some live plants. I have a good friend who has a tank heavily planted with live plants also.



Thank you for your suggestions. Have A Good One !!

fishman120 said:

I do have some wood I am soaking. I will research some live plants. I have a good friend who has a tank heavily planted with live plants also.

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Thank you for your suggestions. Have A Good One !!

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Gorgeous piece of bogwood.

(Much nicer than your castles IMO) It will look fabulous int your tank.

They'll warm up once they get used to their new environment. They are not shy fish at all.

I agree with above just give them time. As you are able to add the wood and plants to the tank that will help too.

Maybe before you add your plants you could change the gravel to sand? It's not a massively expensive change and it opens up your options in terms of bottom dwellers. If you were to change to sand, instead of the Clown Loaches you could look at Zebra Loaches or Dwarf Chain Loaches which are both beautiful fish in their own right but stay much smaller than Clown loaches. Some other Botia species like YoYo or Dot and Dash could work but can sometimes be a bit more aggressive.

Wills

LostBear said:

Gorgeous piece of bogwood.

(Much nicer than your castles IMO) It will look fabulous int your tank.

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Thank You. Wishing You A Fabulous Night/Day !!

Wills said:

I agree with above just give them time. As you are able to add the wood and plants to the tank that will help too.

Maybe before you add your plants you could change the gravel to sand? It's not a massively expensive change and it opens up your options in terms of bottom dwellers. If you were to change to sand, instead of the Clown Loaches you could look at Zebra Loaches or Dwarf Chain Loaches which are both beautiful fish in their own right but stay much smaller than Clown loaches. Some other Botia species like YoYo or Dot and Dash could work but can sometimes be a bit more aggressive.

Wills

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Thank you for the advice... I tried sand years ago and did not like the sand at all. I've had tanks off and on all my life.. the biggest was a 125. Always have had gravel. Well, you what they say... Change is hard to do !! Maybe in my next big tank. Take Care !!