True Parrot In Alkaline Water ?

[hamfist]

Anyone here had any success in keeping true parrot cichlids (H.psittacus) in hard, alkaline water ?
Mine's pH 7.8.

Chocs and sevs do well in my water, but not sure about trying a true parrot. It's quite a bit of money down the drain if it goes badly.

 

[VaegaVic]

From the sources I've read, they can go as high up as 7.5, so I'm sure with careful acclimatisation, you could squeeze in an extra .3

But on the other had, some sources quote no higher than 6.5

See if you can find some in your local area, already on the areas water supply.

 

[snowflake311]

They come from the same water that Heckel Discus live in that is Ph 5 to Ph 6 . If you had a hard time keeping domestic Discus in your hard water don't get the True Parrot. These fish are not being bred very much domestically so are still very close to the Wild types and are only a few generation removed from the wild parents. So they will need that same or similar Water as the wilds .

They might be ok but will be MUCH more prone to HITH in hard water and will not do as well. Sorry.

Mine is Wild caught and doing great in ph 7 - 7.5 My water is soft and drops after its been in the cycled tank. The tap is 7.4 and it drops to 7.0 in the tank.

 

[hamfist]

I've decided against it in the end anyway. I think the potential for disturbing my new (old) chocolate cichlid is too great. I think my choc will struggle to compete for food too much with a true parrot for my liking.

I did find evidence from a guy on another forum who successfully kept true parrots long term in pH 7.8 (and hard) water. So I suspect my water may well have been OK, but I'm not going to risk it anyway.

Thanks for both of your responses !

 

[AstonN24vantage]

seems too high aggreed

 

[snowflake311]

My parrot is not a food aggressive as my Uarus or Severum. The parrot hates to eat from the surface. When she does she goes up fast with a splash and rushes back down. But yes the Chocolate is very similar to the parrot in size and shape so I would think they would have a few fights and might not be get along but would put up with each other in the end.

These guys are hardy and being in harder water would not kill them but they would not thrive.