Blood Brothers

[The Village Idiot]

You may have seen my post in the New World Cichlid section. In case you didn't, here's the scoop. Other than my little girl bettas, I'm getting a little tired of the "community fish" in my 55 gallon. I'm considering either a Severum or a Blood Parrot as a centerpiece, but I'm not sure what would be appropriate tankmates. I have a disgusting obsession with combining blue and orange in an aquarium, so I'm looking at dwarf neon rainbows, red and blue colombian tetras, and blue platies.

I realize that a Blood Parrot's ancestry makes its behavior difficult to predict, however, I would appreciate any experiences you've had as I can only speculate. I am grateful for any advice you can offer.

 

[~T~]

Sounds like it would work. The tetras and rainbows are larg enough not to get eaten although the platies might just be a tad small. Then again if you are getting a small BP you should be ok.

 

[MickandS]

Sounds like it would work. The tetras and rainbows are larg enough not to get eaten although the platies might just be a tad small. Then again if you are getting a small BP you should be ok.

Our blood parrot was/is hell on fins ) A real terror, I literally cannot clean the tank without him/her attacking the cleaning tube, spoon etc Got it as a baby, put right into a 50 gal with a tetra, gourami, chinese algae eater and corys and it ruled that tank with fear.
But all fish have different personalities, I find that with every type we get..some are laid back, others are hard to the core... good luck

 

[The Village Idiot]

Sounds like it would work. The tetras and rainbows are larg enough not to get eaten although the platies might just be a tad small. Then again if you are getting a small BP you should be ok.

I was worrying about the same thing with the platies. I just thought I'd ask, since I like them so much. As far as the tetras or rainbows are concerned, how many would you recommend for the tank? I have a Rena XP3 for filtration and do weekly water changes of at least 50%, if that's relevant.

Our blood parrot was/is hell on fins ) A real terror, I literally cannot clean the tank without him/her attacking the cleaning tube, spoon etc Got it as a baby, put right into a 50 gal with a tetra, gourami, chinese algae eater and corys and it ruled that tank with fear.
But all fish have different personalities, I find that with every type we get..some are laid back, others are hard to the core... good luck

I'm certain I would get that fish. I could put two Endler's Livebearers in a 500 gallon tank and one would kill the other. I have no luck at all with compatability. My plan was to start with several blood parrots and keep the most peaceful of the bunch. I'm sure that won't work either, but it will make me feel better.

 

[MickandS]

You can always buy another tank if it doesn't work out That's what got us started. One small tank with a few grumpy fish..turned into five tanks at one point. Now we are down to three, 50 gal, 55 gal and 90 gal.
When we bought the parrot it was the cutest little one hiding behind a small plant, aww, poor thing...then when he got out of Hel-Mart and home into the 50 gal, all hell broke loose Now he/she is in the 90 gal trying to make babies and terrorizing the pleco and dempsy.
Lots of fun these guys

 

[The Village Idiot]

LOL That sounds like the typical progression with fish. I'm afraid buying another tank isn't an option at this point. According to my wife, I've bought all the tanks I'm going to, so I'd better just start appreciating the ones I've got.

By the by, that's SO unfair that you can find parrots at Hel-Mart. Not that I like the store, but it's the only place within 40 miles of me taht I can buy fish, so I've found myself going there on occasion. They never have anything as good as parrots, though.