Growth Hormone!

[valleyrich]

I just rescued two poor sickly little Jellybean Parrots from a horrible little shop in a neighboring city. Any recommendations for foods to fatten them up? I think they were being fed goldfish flakes or something. The water was about 10 degrees too cold, the tank was no more than 1 gallon, and the poor babies were dyed. I really just want them to get fat and healthy like all of my other JPs. THey are currently under quartantine in a 10g. Probably less the 1/2" and skinny. Not sick skinny, hungry skinny. I'm already feeding cichlid pellets crushed up with brine shrimp. I have access to frozen food and limited live food. Any suggestions?


While we are at it how long does the dye take to fade? They are really quite ugly right now. THe dye is starting to fade so the one that was blue looks like it has a giant bruise and the one that was yellow looks well it just looks wierd.

 

[SamUK]

sorry, cant help with the diet but i hope you told the shop they were dyed and then gave em a really evil look

 

[kubora666]

hehe i would have.
the die wil lusually fade in about 2 months or so, the fish may still have a small tint of colour in your case yellow and blue, but they will recover fine.
i dont have any jellybeans, never seen any, but a do have some blood parrots and they love to eat anything that you can supply, cichlid pellets, brineshrimp. they seam to like, dutch select food " cichlid diet ".
i hope this helps

 

[Genesis]

poor feeshies, glad they've got as nice loving home now

 

[valleyrich]

I asked her if she could get un-dyed Jellybeans "because these are really quite ugly and I don't know why anyone would ever want to do such a horrible painful thing to any fish let alone a fish that is such a pretty color naturally!" Boy did I get a funny look! They seem to be in generally good health aside from some starvation! THis is one of those LFS that should have their fishy liscense pulled! (I know there is no such thing but there should be!) On the other hand I did find a really great shop if anyone is in this area or need special order. (not the same shop!)

Back to subject:

For SA Cichlids in general anyone had any luck with live food? These guys are really skinny and shy. They are supposed to be fat and aggressive. I was thinking a little hunting might give them some courage? I entend to continue with the pellets and shrimp, looking more for "treats".

THanks for caring about these poor little fishies!

 

[afireinside]

omg... those guys r retards. I'd feed them meaty foods or foods high in protein to get them "fat" and to give them strength and an energy boost.

Glad you saved them.

 

[Synirr]

So good of you to save the poor little things! As has been said, the majority of the dye should be gone in a couple of months, but if they were injected the dye at the injection site may take longer to fade away completely (my midas hybrid was dyed and had one tiny blue spot left for at least 5 months). Frozen bloodworm is always a fave of any fish and would be my top recommendation for fattening up the little guys, but any meaty frozen or live food would be good. If you can get frozen beefheart that is also good in moderation.

 

[valleyrich]

I decided to throw in some freez dried blood worms I had for the bettas and WOW!! They eat them like there is no tomorrow. The yellow one is looking almost normal now (execept for the ugly yellow) and the blue one is starting to look less like a skeleton. He (the blue one) was the worst off. The oldest one in the tank so the longest on bad food. They both had a normal poop last night too which was gross but exciting. I think they will make it.


I'll try beef heart tonight. Already have some in the freezer. Are frozen bloodworms more nutritious than freeze dried?

Thank you all soooooooo much!

By the way they got named last night: Otis and Sunshine. Dorky huh?

 

[kubora666]

there good names, i havent named any of my fish, i cant think of any
does anyone wanne help ??? PM me if you do

beef heart is rele good food for " fattening " them hehe

 

[mark7616]

i have had a jellybean parrot for about 2 years now he is blue and hasnt lost his colour at all the only thing i will say is they dont grow any bigger than about 4" i know it cruel to dye the fish and the way it is done but i do belive people give them a good home so all the torture is over for them now. Not any type of excuse though for this blatent mis treatment.

 

[valleyrich]

He is still blue All over That is CRAZY! Got any pics? Mine seem to be continuing to fade...YIPPIE!! I love my pink fish.

As far as the size...I got my surprise there already, when I bought them I was told that they would get 5-8" After 4 years the male maxed out at 3 and the female 2.5". Makes them easier to house but wasn't what I was expecting.


Otis and Sunshine are becoming more normal. Coming out to see us instead of hiding, flirting with each other instead of fighting, You know normal cichlid things. Thanks for all of ya'lls help. The babies seem to be coming around just fine.