Blood parrots refusing to eat

HI everyone,
I am so overwhelmed with guppy fry it'a not even funny. Last weekend I treated my blood parrots to some guppy fry, knowing that they are safe and disease free because I raised them.
Anyway, they have been refusing every pellet and flake under the sun. I gave in and fed them more fry a few times this week. They are so spoiled!
Any way to get them eating pellets again? I have no problems with feeder fish, other than disease issues if I start buying them from a pet store. Thanks!



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What kind of pellets are you feeding? Fast them for a couple days and then try to feed pellets. If they get hungry enough, they will eat.

 

What kind of pellets are you feeding? Fast them for a couple days and then try to feed pellets. If they get hungry enough, they will eat.

As long as there are no issues with the tank I would say to do this also.
carol

 

I should also add that BP's are very sensitive to water quality. What are your water parameters?

 

I'm feeding omega one cichlid pellets and O.S.I blood parrot pellets.
My parameters as of yesterday were...
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 30ish ppm
pH: 7.2

Thanks, I will try fasting them for a few days. I'll let you know how it goes!


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mine will eat anything all the time. A day without will straighten right up

 

mine will eat anything all the time. A day without will straighten right up

Normally mine are the same way. Ever since they got a taste of guppies they've stuck their noses up to just about everything else. Who would want a big mac after they've tasted fillet Mignon?

 

You could try changing pellets, New Life Spectrum makes some great products that I've never seen refused by my BP's. NLS Thera A or NLS Cichlid are both high quality foods.

Your nitrates seem a little high to me. I never like to let mine get over 20, perhaps that's not necessary but I water change never hurts!

 

Okay, I'll try some NLS next time I swing by the pet shop.
These readings were prior to my weekly water change, I usually try and do two 25% changes per week but if time doesn't allow I change 40-50% at once.

This tank was meant as a grow out, and I think they're ready for a 55 gallon. These guys are half pink convict, so they shouldn't get too big.

 

I'd love to see some pictures!

 

Here's some old pics with the tinfoil barbs I was given as a gift (bad idea, fish don't make good presents :nono. They found a new home a few months back.

 

I don't see many convict traits. Great looking fish. My BP's don't like to pose for my camera lol.

 

Thanks! I'm beginning to think that myself. When I first got them they looked like convicts, bars and all. Within a few months they began changing to yellow. Since then I've removed eggs from the tank 4 or 5 times (I don't have time or space for fry). I thought the spawning so readily meant they had at least some convict in them..?

 

No, it's pretty normal for females to lay eggs. Male BP's are usually sterile though. When BP's are babies they are dark and then gradually lighten up. They're looking pretty pure to me. Great coloration. I'm sorry to say but I think they are going to get bigger than you expected. hehe

 

I've kept community tanks for years, but keeping "bigger" fish is a little newer to me. Oh great, like I need them to get any bigger. Lol

I'm thinking either 33 long, 40 breeder, or 55. I prefer the 33 long (48" by 13" by 12") because it's easiest to work inside of. Because of the larger footprint a 33 long offers, do you think they would do well in said tank?

 

Well, I would personally go for a 55 for several reasons. BP's are messy. They've got those funny mouths that aren't always the most efficient at eating. Having more water will actually help with maintenance. They are also a tall fish, so having the Vertical space is good for them. BP's can live for a very long time so I don't think smaller than a 55 gallon is a good life long tank.

 

Alright thanks! It's always good to have a second opinion
I think I might have my Dad build me a custom stand that's higher than the ones sold in stores. I'm fairly tall so I can't stand (no pun intended) having to look down to observe the fish. Having them at viewing height will be nice.

 

Yeah, you do have look down a little. don't get it too high so that you can't reach in the tank for gravel vacs. Have you thought about sand for a substrate? My guys like to be able to dig in the sand.

 

I was considering sand. How much of it would I end up cleaning out of my canister filter? Right now they have "CaribSea Supernaturals Peace River" in their tank- much finer than the normal size gravel. They do enjoy sifting through it...

 

I haven't had much problems with sand in my filters. As long as they've got something they can dig in I think you'll be fine.

 

Okay thanks again! I think I'm going to PM Mike and see if he can set up a blog for me. Keep track of the whole project with pictures and periodically update with pictures of the fish too.

 

Good morning,:;co

Hopefully your fish will begin to eat other foods and not just fry. Feeding only fry is not recommended from information I've seen in the past.

You can try soaking the food in Garlic Guard (link below) Garlic can act as a food enhancer and too it's said that it helps to boots the fishes immune system:

I use the above regularly for all of my fish.

You can also use Garlic Juice from minced garlic:
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...r-just-an-example-for-those-needing-it.62705/

If you want to make your own garlic juice, here is the recipe:
"Benefits of garlic:

Purifies blood; detoxifies; lowers cholesterol levels; lowers blood pressure; blood thinner; prevents blood clots; boost immune system; prevents heart disease and strokes; destroys cancer cells; muscle relaxant; antibiotic; antifungal; suppresses growth of tumors
Using a medium size bulb; peel cloves apart, snip off ends; microwave cloves for 5 to 10 seconds to pop hulls; remove hulls; cut the length of the cloves in thin slices; place in cup of hot (from tap) water; cover, and let sit at room temperature for 12 hrs; mash the cloves and strain for immediate use; refrigerate until needed. good for two to three weeks.
The longer the cloves soak, the stronger the solution."

The information above comes from the link below:


Adding Vita Chem for additional vitamins will help to boost your fishes overall health. I use it regularly along with the Garlic Guard:


My list of foods in post #17 below:
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/new-fish-food.102685/


Mine have also learned to eat Romaine Lettuce and they love chopped zucchini, fresh and raw. They can rip the lettuce leaf themselves.

Link to Ken's for NLS foods:

I'm adding the Thera A and the Spectrum Cichlid to their diets too.

I agree that it appears you have true Bloody Parrots. Too, I would also recommend at least 55 gallon for the two. My largest Bloody Parrot is 10" x 8". Although I have several of the same age, they are not all the same size. They should do well in 55 gallon for quiet some time. Maybe in the future you can give them an even larger home. If you have room and funds for 75g's, I'd go for it!


Best wishes for your fish! Please keep us posted.

Ken

 

Good morning,:;co

Hopefully your fish will begin to eat other foods and not just fry. Feeding only fry is not recommended from information I've seen in the past.

You can try soaking the food in Garlic Guard (link below) Garlic can act as a food enhancer and too it's said that it helps to boots the fishes immune system:

I use the above regularly for all of my fish.

You can also use Garlic Juice from minced garlic:
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...r-just-an-example-for-those-needing-it.62705/

If you want to make your own garlic juice, here is the recipe:
"Benefits of garlic:

Purifies blood; detoxifies; lowers cholesterol levels; lowers blood pressure; blood thinner; prevents blood clots; boost immune system; prevents heart disease and strokes; destroys cancer cells; muscle relaxant; antibiotic; antifungal; suppresses growth of tumors
Using a medium size bulb; peel cloves apart, snip off ends; microwave cloves for 5 to 10 seconds to pop hulls; remove hulls; cut the length of the cloves in thin slices; place in cup of hot (from tap) water; cover, and let sit at room temperature for 12 hrs; mash the cloves and strain for immediate use; refrigerate until needed. good for two to three weeks.
The longer the cloves soak, the stronger the solution."

The information above comes from the link below:


Adding Vita Chem for additional vitamins will help to boost your fishes overall health. I use it regularly along with the Garlic Guard:


My list of foods in post #17 below:
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/new-fish-food.102685/


Mine have also learned to eat Romaine Lettuce and they love chopped zucchini, fresh and raw. They can rip the lettuce leaf themselves.

Link to Ken's for NLS foods:

I'm adding the Thera A and the Spectrum Cichlid to their diets too.

I agree that it appears you have true Bloody Parrots. Too, I would also recommend at least 55 gallon for the two. My largest Bloody Parrot is 10" x 8". Although I have several of the same age, they are not all the same size. They should do well in 55 gallon for quiet some time. Maybe in the future you can give them an even larger home. If you have room and funds for 75g's, I'd go for it!

Best wishes for your fish! Please keep us posted.

Ken

Wow, thanks Ken! I will keep you all updated. Have a great day


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Glad to help

Ken

 

They finally ate this afternoon when I got home. Not like the hogs they usually are, but at least they ate.

 

Hello Sadie Girl,

Bloody Parrots, especially juveniles can frighten easily. A while back when I first got Bloody Parrots it took them a couple of weeks to begin eating, at least to the point that I noticed them eating. Once they began eating, they adapted and everything was ok.

A little while after having them, I added a new ornament into the aquarium and they went back into hiding for another few weeks. Even though I didn't see them eating, I did NOT add additional food in hopes that they would eat. This is a common mistake many folks make, over feeding to compensate. So be careful not to over feed, they will eat when they get hungry as long as the water parameters are where they should be 0,0, under 20. If you aren't seeing any physical signs of disease or parasites, just give them more time. They'll come around Eventually the fish will get to the point that they will not hide even if you wanted them to .

How long have you had your Bloody Parrots?

So glad to hear that you saw them eating! arty0011:

Ken

 

Thanks, Ken!
Eh, I got them in August 2010, the 26th to be exact. I keep all my livestock receipts. they were really tiny back then! They have grown so much! I look at some of the ornaments they used to hide in and now they're bigger than the ornaments. Lol

They've trashed their tank. Gravel is all piled up in the corners and they're lip locking. Great, I hope this doesn't mean more eggs are on the way...


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I'm having issues with the eheim heater. I have it set to 75 and the tank temp is 82. A little higher than I'm comfortably with. I might go pick up an aqueon pro or Fluval m series just to be on the safe side...


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I am very happy with my Aqueon pro's. I like them over glass a lot!

 

I am very happy with my Aqueon pro's. I like them over glass a lot!

That's good to know. Up until about a year ago I had a slew of the original stealths from like 2006. I did research and found that the aqueon pros are nearly identical to the original stealths.

I love the eheim, and I don't think it's going haywire, but I'm very cautious with heaters...


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Good morning,

It sounds like more eggs may be on the way Juveniles that I've had in the past will spawn several times before they give it a rest. Moving the substrate sounds like they may be looking for or creating a nesting spot.

I also had Stealth Pro heaters (5) and returned them all due to the recall. I replaced them all with the Aqueon Pros. I have found the Aqueon Pro Heater to be very accurate within 1 degree. Too, I like the bicolored indicator light.

"They've trashed their tank" lol Give them one of these
Ken

 

Good morning,

It sounds like more eggs may be on the way Juveniles that I've had in the past will spawn several times before they give it a rest. Moving the substrate sounds like they may be looking for or creating a nesting spot.

I also had Stealth Pro heaters (5) and returned them all due to the recall. I replaced them all with the Aqueon Pros. I have found the Aqueon Pro Heater to be very accurate within 1 degree. Too, I like the bicolored indicator light.

"They've trashed their tank" lol Give them one of these
Ken

I'll add a piece of slate when I get home later, maybe that'll make the whole egg laying process a little easier. Last time one of them laid eggs they fought like crazy, so I think I have two females.

 

My blood parrot hasn't eaten in 3 days or so. I feed two medium meals a day. He is REALLY OLD and I'm wondering if it's just his time to go. He has been acting weird lately. He's been swimming and just "floating" in mid water with his head against the filter tube. He has knocked it off twice now. He also has been rubbing his belly and face on the gravel but not on anything else. He isn't rubbing on the filter just hanging out with his face pushed up against it. I feed cichlid pellets and shrimp pellets and he's always been the most aggressive eater. He now just watches it fall and even has it hit him and won't react. I don't have a water test kit but brought water to LFS who test it for free and they said the nitrites were a little off but not enough to cause problems (didn't tell exactly what it was at). Everything else is in check. All other fish are eating fine. Is it just his time to go or are the nitrites messing with him? Thanks for reading!

 

How old is he?

Could be the nitrites. You really should get your own test kit. Any nitrites are bad. I would do a few large water changes to get them down.

Can you get the water retested again and get exact numbers for everything? Do they use strips or liquid?

What size tank and what fish do you have in there with him?

 

He's about 10 or 11. I'm working on getting my own test kit now. I personally didn't get my water tested. My mom went for me when I was at school and relayed everything they said. So I don't know if they use strips or liquid (mom said she didn't pay attention). And tolls just started on our local bridge so going back is a no go and I don't know of any places on our side of the river. He's in a 75 with a little severum and a little jack dempsey. I will do the large water changes. How many should I do?

 

I would do at least 50% daily for a few days - without knowing the nitrite levels, I would assume the worst just to be safe. It might help him too.

 

Ok. Thanks for the help!

 

I would do at least 50% daily for a few days - without knowing the nitrite levels, I would assume the worst just to be safe. It might help him too.

After about 8 days of him not eating he just started today again. He isn't eating much just like three pellets or so. Thank you so much! I can't imagine losing him.

 

HI guys. My 19 year old blood parrot is refusing to eat. She hasnt had any food since last friday. Ive tried her normal pellets and flakes, blood worms, and brine shrimp, and she won't eat any of them. Is there anyother type of food I should try?

Tank:
Size - 90gallons
Substrate - gravel
Plants - fake, 3 live amazon sword
Temp - 77
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 10

Tank mates:
3 rainbow fish (newest, added 3 months ago)
1 super old cory (getting more when lfs has some)
1 bn pleco
5 nerite snails

 

Maybe try soaking the food in garlic guard or something else with garlic

 

Maybe try soaking the food in garlic guard or something else with garlic

Ok ill see if I can find that somewhere. If that doesn't work what should I try? I really don't want to lose her. Shes also staying more at the bottom of the tank, shes normally in the top section. Could she be sick? Stressed?