True Parrot Breeding..

[Always Learning]

Right, I have now got 5 of these living together at the moment, hoping that I get a pair out of them. I know they're late bloomers, but we'll see how it goes and if any start showing signs of bonding.

I've found of most of what little things I needed to know and it's all on it's way, but my question is regarding their origin. I have one which is Brazilian I believe, that is green and a stunning red breast coming through and the others are the closer to blue varient from Venezuela? (Not sure on that, though if anyone knows the answer..).
What's the chances of the two different ones pairing? Ideally I would prefer them not to, but that was the first one in there and the one I am most attatched to.. but at the same time, it has taken me a while to get these others, so deciding between the two if I had to would be hard. There's not that many cases of them spawning and fry being raised successfully in home aquaria, but I can't find anything that answers my question in them.. just wondering if anyone has heard from other sources etc.

Thanks

 

[snowflake311]

Right, I have now got 5 of these living together at the moment, hoping that I get a pair out of them. I know they're late bloomers, but we'll see how it goes and if any start showing signs of bonding.

I've found of most of what little things I needed to know and it's all on it's way, but my question is regarding their origin. I have one which is Brazilian I believe, that is green and a stunning red breast coming through and the others are the closer to blue varient from Venezuela? (Not sure on that, though if anyone knows the answer..).
What's the chances of the two different ones pairing? Ideally I would prefer them not to, but that was the first one in there and the one I am most attatched to.. but at the same time, it has taken me a while to get these others, so deciding between the two if I had to would be hard. There's not that many cases of them spawning and fry being raised successfully in home aquaria, but I can't find anything that answers my question in them.. just wondering if anyone has heard from other sources etc.

Thanks

How big is your tank? They need low ph to get them to spawn. They also need to be mature as you seem to know. How big are yours? Are they wild or tank raised?

The Brazilian and Venezuela are the same fish no reason they would not pair up. It's just that fish confined to one area might be a little different then the same kind of fish from another area. The Brazillian ones tend to be more blue with red chest. When young they will look the same. It takes time for them to color up. But really it's not a big difference. They are found in Colombia and Rio Negro river.

There is a person on another forum I know has had a breeding pair. In fact there are a few on another forum that have gotten them to spawn. But these fish are around 10" to 12" and have a big tanks.

 

[hamfist]

It's certainly an interesting project ! I suspect you're going to have to be really patient though.

I would agree with SF that there is no reason the slightly different regional colour morphs will not "fancy" each other. They are still the same species after all.

 

[Always Learning]

You know, when I read your replies I realised what a stupid question it was as this happens through the majority of species with slightly different colour morphs.. why I had it niggling at me for ages, I have no idea. Guess I am focussing so much on the more important factors, that the simplest things had me stumped

I realise I am going to have to be patient with them and the 180's should be here in the next month or two, so they'll have that for themselves until, hopefully there's some signs of bonding between a pair. At the moment they're in the 150 with my Uaru and Geo Isporogensis. So far the original is still the boss and hasn't taken too well to his new friends, but it is calming down and there's no damage done to any of them, thankfully.

They're wild caught Snowflake and the biggest is around 6" and the smallest around 3 1/2". I have heard that they have been paired and have bred as early as 15 months, though this owner had owned them since they were still around 1 1/2" in size. The hardest part seems to be getting them to spawn in the first place, but my PH is coming down closer to 6 and I am going to be trying other methods along the way... trial and error, though the less errors the better. I'll start a journal once I am on my way with it and things are set up as I would like them.

On another note, I should also have 4 Panda Uaru this Friday... a lot cheaper than the £75 each I was going to pay. Well, £75 cheaper

 

[snowflake311]

If you could breed the panda uaru that would be amazing.

 

[Always Learning]

Indeed. They're both as bad as each other, though it seems the hardest part of keeping the Pandas, is keeping them alive for the first few months.

 

[GShorty1981]

I read they won't spawn for the first 3 years of maturity.

 

[Always Learning]

There's some saying 3 years, some daying 5, some saying 15 months. Like everything else, the information is different all over the joint, so the best thing to do, is just make a start. If it happens then great.. if not, then they'll stay together until problems arise. Watching them over the past 5 days has been interesting though.

My Pandas didn't come in today, so fingers crossed for either tomorrow or friday, if at all...

 

[MBOU]

Ack!! Saw this post and had awful images of luminous fat orange....'things'...

Its sooooo nice to hear people trying with the REAL Parrot cichlids!!

I dont have my tanks any more whilst i have moved house twice in 3 months with a 3rd time coming up... but i saw they had two True Parrot Cichlids at the Japanese Koi Trading Company in Henlow. They have been there about a year now! The shop is horrendous when it comes to care for its tropical fish which is a bit of a shock as their marines, koi, reptiles, mammals and birds are amazing! Id have bought them had they been a pair but they told me they were both males and looking back, think they were a pair, just didnt like the 30L tank they were in!! (at 6" each!!)

Cant believe you are getting tthose uarus!! I know how much they are at trade!! Id lose my job if i got them!!! How are you getting them... for nothing you say???

And moreover... where on earth are the photos!!!!!!?

 

[Always Learning]

The Uaru didn't come in, sadly. It's always the case of first come, first served with them, but I'm on the notification list now when they come in again. I've specified that I want them at 4" plus though, so it just depends on what size they are when they get them.
I'm getting them for nothing, as I'd be getting them in for work.. just keeping them in the bags and taking them home with me These last ones were cheaper at £17 each, though before that, they were £30. Trade, of course.

You should see if they have the parrots still and get a tank setup pronto. Even if it's still a small manageable one until you are settled somewhere, it's going to be better than what they're in now. I'm in love with all mine and so far, it's all going well. There was the usual bossing around for the first few days, but no damage done and the tank is nice and calm. Their colours are changing again now and I'm not sure which varients I have anymore... will just let things settle and see how they are in a few months.

Photos and me don't go together, thanks to not having a decent camera, but I will try and get some decent ones off my phone. Easier said than done mind, thanks to them moving just as auto focus has finished. Grumble grumble