How many blood parrots?

When I bought the 3 BPs I did the research beforehand, and came up with the answer that 3 BPs was the max for a 55 gallon (several websites said 30 minimum, add 10 gallons per BP thereafter). But some recent comments and some more web-surfing has gotten me confused and a little sad (I don't want to cram them but I don't really want to get rid of them if I don't have to!). When full grown (assuming these will grow to average size or maybe slightly larger, about 7"-9"), what is the maximum amount of BPs you would put in a 55 gallon? Not that I'm trying to get as many as I can; but rather to get a good idea on if I need to take one or more of them back One of the BPs is about 3", the other two are about 4".

 

Everyone has their own opinion on how many BP's in a 55G, so you may get different feed back. I think a 55G is only big enough to hold only 2 BP's. That's just my personal opinion though. I've never kept BP's so I guess I don't really have no room to say.

-Nik

 

Thank you for your input! I appreciate it. Maybe for now I should just watch them, and see how they do as they age/grow? I can always make the decision when they're mostly full size and see how they get around. If it seems pretty crammed I'll figure out a home for one or two of them.

 

That sounds good to me, but let's let others comment on this as well

-Nik

 

I have never kept blood parrots before, but they look incredibly friendly. As far as stocking goes, I am not too sure. Post some pics!

 

Thanks I have some pics posted here

As far as friendly, they are warming up to me slowly but surely. I can't wait for the day when they swim up to my fingers

 

I used to have 3 blood parrots in a 150 gallon tank and they make a lot of waste,2 blood parrots are going to be cramped in a 55 gallon they grow slowly but they get huge,please think about the fish,3 bps are too much for a 55 gallon

 

Thanks I have some pics posted here

As far as friendly, they are warming up to me slowly but surely. I can't wait for the day when they swim up to my fingers

They will. I have 3 BP in separate tanks. My oldest one lets me pet him, while I do water changes, or I just sit by the tank and droop my hand in. He likes to side swipe my fingers, sort of take a run at my hand, then rams his side along my hand. I get to ruffle his tail fin.

 

Good morning,

I do suggest that only 2 Bloody Parrots be housed in 55g's, however, even though I have several elderly Bloody Parrots the same age, they are not all the same size. My largest is 10" long by 8" high. They are large waste producers.

Personally I would keep the 3 and watch them as they grow and they are slow growers. I wouldn't be rushing to return one back to the pet store. However, the 3rd Bloody Parrot will put a limits on other tank mates.

Keep up with weekly water changes and keep us posted.

Ken

 

I had my 3 originally in a 46 gallon. Once I moved them to a 75, I saw a change in behavior. They were happier and loved cruising the tank. The can move remarkably fast for such chunky monkeys. Now I have 4 in my 75 and will stay at that number, even though 2 are really tiny.

 

Thank you everyone! For now I will just observe I believe.