Parrot Fish. Need Help Please

[Robaidh]

Hi guys

I recently decided I wanted more colours in my tank rather than yellow grey and black so I got 4 parrot fish as they were reacomended to me. I got one yellow one green one blue and one purple. The yellow is really vibrent colour and the blue and purple have gone blotchy and the green is hardly showing colour apartfrom white. The green is kinda swimming on its side. And hides a lot. They all hide but the green more. I am aware when they are streesed they go kinda white but they have been in for 4 days now the green can't still be stresed can it?

Any helps or tips would b great.

Thanks robaidh.

 

[JenJ]

I don't know who recommended them to you, but did they mentioned why those fish were pretty colours?
 
It's because they are dyed to make them appeal to people that want colour in their tank. 
 
Unfortunately this unethical practice does affect the health of the fish, often they die very quickly.
 
http/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_fish
 
Colour fade in general fishkeeping is a sign that the fish is poorly - combined with the other symptoms you mention, it sounds like your green is quite unwell. 
 
With some more information people here may be able to help identify the problem.
 
How big is the tank? 
What else is in there?
How long has the tank been running with fish?
How was the tank cycled before fish were added?

 

[CezzaXV]

Are you talking about parrot cichlids? As well as the cruel dyeing process, they can also grow up to 24cm long. You need a pretty massive tank to comfortably house them.

 

[Robaidh]

Hi guys thanks for the help. As I said I don't know much about fish keeping and fish in general. I hadn't relisedthis is what they do to gain the colours. I will be speaking to the guy I got them from. But the more pressing point is their anything that I can do to try and help it? Thanks

 

[CezzaXV]

Sounds like general ill health to me, without any specific symptoms pointing to any particular disease. The dyeing process weakens their immune systems greatly, making them much more susceptible. It could last four days if the changeover affected them badly.

It's difficult to recommend what to do without knowing exactly what they've got. While there are general, all-round medications, it's not usually a good idea to throw meds in a tank unless you're sure it's the right thing to do.

 

[Robaidh]

Sounds like general ill health to me, without any specific symptoms pointing to any particular disease. The dyeing process weakens their immune systems greatly, making them much more susceptible. It could last four days if the changeover affected them badly.

It's difficult to recommend what to do without knowing exactly what they've got. While there are general, all-round medications, it's not usually a good idea to throw meds in a tank unless you're sure it's the right thing to do.

ok well i guess i will just have to wait and see what happens. im thinking of asking the guy to take them back and getting my money back as i dont agree with the dyeing process. im quiet keen on maybe getting malwi chichlids my friend has them and the have some beautiful colours. 

 

[leighton_87]

What size is your tank and what else do you have in there?

Malawi cichlids are stunning in the right environment but need a big tank and can't really by mixed with other non-malawis

 

[Robaidh]

What size is your tank and what else do you have in there?

Malawi cichlids are stunning in the right environment but need a big tank and can't really by mixed with other non-malawis

i was planning on selling the rest of my fish so that i would have a empty tank and then do the proper cycle and then get the malwis.
 
I have a 2 inch plec, 2 silver sharks, 1 red tail (gets on fine with the rest). 4 parrot fish, 1 discus and 4 gourmai. and its a 190 liter tank. im also a little worried i may have over stocked it?


 

 

[sadguppy]

You can't keep a discus in that set up, it is a recipe for disaster. They really are not community fish, they need groups of their own species and any other tank mates need careful thought. Other cichlids and sharks are a definite no. You also need a bigger tank. I would be inclined to rehome your stock and find a new lfs!