Can I Fit A Single Blood Parrot Into A 20G

[FWFishLover]

Hey TFF,
I recently went to my LPS and saw a blood parrot and thought it was the coolest thing because of the big smile they all have.
my birthday is coming up soon and im only asking for money so that i can get another tank, now i know that blood parrots have a 50g minimum but they only grow 8" and i could just go by the adult inch to gallon rule.
anyways i wanna buy another 20g (or larger if i can) and put a single blood parrot in there, would it work?
yes he would be the only fish in there (expect the cories i would have for clean up)

 

[Jenste]

the inch per gallon rule is considered rubbish by most fish keepers - the real thing to consider is waste and bioload - an 8" inch parrot will produce alot more waste than 8 1" neon tetras!

in the short term (under 9-12 months) you could keep ONE (ONE!!!!!!!!!!) bp in a 20 gallon.....a 30 gallon would be alright for him to live out his days....as long as there is very adequate filtration and few/no tank mates.


I keep my young bpc in a 35 gallon with a few acf and they get along quite well tbh!

 

[BryceHockey]

I guess I'm always in the viewpoint that since we as fishkeepers are not keeping them in a river as they would live in the wild, they should be given a tank that will keep them interested and with plenty of areas to explore. If they grow to 8" as the above poster said, then a 20 gallon is unacceptable. The topic title asks if you can fit it in a tank that size, you can, but it certainly would not be happy. A fish that looks unhappy is not enjoyable or relaxing to watch.

Should be looking at tetras or fish that size, not cichlids.

 

[FWFishLover]

I guess I'm always in the viewpoint that since we as fishkeepers are not keeping them in a river as they would live in the wild, they should be given a tank that will keep them interested and with plenty of areas to explore. If they grow to 8" as the above poster said, then a 20 gallon is unacceptable. The topic title asks if you can fit it in a tank that size, you can, but it certainly would not be happy. A fish that looks unhappy is not enjoyable or relaxing to watch.

Should be looking at tetras or fish that size, not cichlids.

i dont mean physically fit i mean for it to live happily so what tank would be a good size if it was only one blood parrot in there?
and what is a good clean up crew that is compatible with a blood parrot

 

[Jenste]

no it would not be happy - same as a greyhound would not be happy living in a cupboard - it would fit, and as an adult look a little ridiculous...but NO it would not be happy...it would surely be stunted - which means the spine bends making it look like it is a "small" fullgrown bp....where as the internal organs keep growing to the size they should be and the fish eventually dies from internal failure - a very slow, very painful death.
you should look for either a bigger tank or a different fish.

 

[Wills]

An 8 inch fish needs a much much bigger tank. You need at least a 4x2 IMO, you need to look at fish that get to 3 inches max in a tank that size.

 

[Bebobb]

Maybe a pair of Apistogramma and a school of tetras?

 

[FWFishLover]

Maybe a pair of Apistogramma and a school of tetras?

Well I Really Want A BP But dont have much money so i'll probably look into second hand tanks on ebay....whats a good size (in US gallons)

 

[Wills]

I would try and get something around 40/45 gallons. Whats called a 40 gallon breeder could work nice, thats a three foot tank with extra depth but normal height. But obviously if you can get a 4 foot that would be ideal, since your from the US (looked at profile) you could have a look at craigs list you always hear of people getting crazy bargains of there its just a case of people being desperate to get rid of tanks and needing people to take them

 

[fishnovice]

Maybe a pair of Apistogramma and a school of tetras?

Well I Really Want A BP But dont have much money so i'll probably look into second hand tanks on ebay....whats a good size (in US gallons)

If you like red fish, how about a pair of jewel cichlids? They won't grow too big and have lovely colours when adult and breeding.You could add a bristlenose plec fand MT snails for clearing up algae and debris

 

[Wills]

Maybe a pair of Apistogramma and a school of tetras?

Well I Really Want A BP But dont have much money so i'll probably look into second hand tanks on ebay....whats a good size (in US gallons)

If you like red fish, how about a pair of jewel cichlids? They won't grow too big and have lovely colours when adult and breeding.You could add a bristlenose plec fand MT snails for clearing up algae and debris

Good idea actually a pair would look nice in a 25g or something Think you can get 25g Hex tanks as well so not much room.

 

[FWFishLover]

Maybe a pair of Apistogramma and a school of tetras?

Well I Really Want A BP But dont have much money so i'll probably look into second hand tanks on ebay....whats a good size (in US gallons)

If you like red fish, how about a pair of jewel cichlids? They won't grow too big and have lovely colours when adult and breeding.You could add a bristlenose plec fand MT snails for clearing up algae and debris

Good idea actually a pair would look nice in a 25g or something Think you can get 25g Hex tanks as well so not much room.

well its not about them being red its more of the smile that parrots have. its just hilarious to me.
i do have some experience with jewel cichlids and know them to be quite aggressive when maturing

 

[Bebobb]

If you're looking for second hand tanks, Craigslist, or your local aquarium club would be your best hookups. I just purchased a 40 gallon with lid (no lighting) for $40. Heck of a deal, if you ask me.

Personally, I think that Blood parrots are ugly as can be. Lol. Actually, I remember reading that the "smile" is a deformation. They are hybrids. Actually, I don't think that they are cichlids. They can't close their mouth all of the way, and that is where the "smile" comes from.

 

[FWFishLover]

If you're looking for second hand tanks, Craigslist, or your local aquarium club would be your best hookups. I just purchased a 40 gallon with lid (no lighting) for $40. Heck of a deal, if you ask me.

Personally, I think that Blood parrots are ugly as can be. Lol. Actually, I remember reading that the "smile" is a deformation. They are hybrids. Actually, I don't think that they are cichlids. They can't close their mouth all of the way, and that is where the "smile" comes from.

yeah ive been finding alot of good deals on craigslist and found a 40g for $50

 

[loraxchick]

If you're looking for second hand tanks, Craigslist, or your local aquarium club would be your best hookups. I just purchased a 40 gallon with lid (no lighting) for $40. Heck of a deal, if you ask me.

Personally, I think that Blood parrots are ugly as can be. Lol. Actually, I remember reading that the "smile" is a deformation. They are hybrids. Actually, I don't think that they are cichlids. They can't close their mouth all of the way, and that is where the "smile" comes from.

yeah ive been finding alot of good deals on craigslist and found a 40g for $50

post in the wanted section of craigslist-ive gotten FULL tank set-ups (40/55 gal) with hoods, filters, airpumps/ heaters for free! they just wanted me to come get them out of their garage. just make sure you water test for leaks beforehand and test all the equipment. seriously-give it a try and you might get lucky!
cheers
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