Blood Parrots Hiding Suddenly??

[sparklefuzz]

I recently aquired an established aquarium from my Dad comprising 4 4" blood parrots and 2 4-5" oscars. After around 6 weeks, I found a home for the oscars as I felt the tank was overcrowded. Usually the parrots are super friendly, following you as you walk past the tank, coming to say hello etc.. now since we took the oscars away on friday, they hide at the slightest movement near the tank. When there is no movement they swim around as normal, but they immediately disappear when they see us coming. They wouldn't even come out for food yesterday until I moved away. Does anyone know why they are acting this way, and is there anything I can do??

 

[wixx]

Maybe they think you're going to take them out like you did the oscars?

How big is the tank?

 

[sparklefuzz]

Maybe they think you're going to take them out like you did the oscars?

How big is the tank?

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Thanks for your reply, The tank is 40 Gallons. My Dad has had this set up for 3 years, but the oscars were getting too big we felt, so they've gone to a 65 gallon tank of their own. Could they really be worried they'll be taken out??? Is there anything I can do?

 

[wixx]

I really don't know. I've heard of parrots becoming shy, but only temporarily, so maybe in a few days they will be o.k. I know some people have had new parrots act shy for awhile, but I'm really not sure about yours. Give them a few days and see if their behavior changes.

 

[Kajuki18]

IMO that tank will became overcrowed again but to get them out again I would buy some dither fish like zebra danios.

 

[Synirr]

4 blood parrots is far too many for a 40 gallon in my opinion, I wouldn't keep more than two together in a tank that size...

Anyway, I have a BP-midas hybrid who was shy for a while but she eventually got over that phase, so I'd just wait it out for a while and see how things go. If they don't get bolder on their own dither fish would help... not zebra danios though, because they'd probably think of them as a lovely snack . A medium-sized gourami species would be a good choice I think.

 

[sparklefuzz]

We purchased a couple of moonlight Guoramis, who seem to be quite happy, but are being completely ignored by the parrots... and 5 days later (since the oscars were removed) they still hide at the speed of lightening if anyone approaches the tank. If theres nobody close they act perfectly normal. I don't know what to do, they won't even come for food until we move away and they used to jump for food! Any ideas anyone?

 

[pica_nuttalli]

add plants to the front of the tank? you might could get some fake ones to stay in one place. generally, adding things to hide behind helps timid fish to feel more secure and spend more time swimming about.