I may have stressed out my Blood Parrots-they fought! Lost one :(

I am a little angry with myself. My blood parrots were very content with their tank. A 55 gallon for them and 5 tiger barbs. However, I decided to relocate them into my new 46g bowfront.

It is in the loft of our dome home and that area is our bedroom. We do not keep air on up there during the day and I forget how hot it can get. Anyway, because it was only 46g, I didn't move the barbs and only the two parrots. Long story long, they fought to the death. My husband called me at work to tell me they had been at it and when he took some laundry upstairs, he saw one floating. I am stumped and never heard of this kind of behavior.

I had no idea this could happen and am really sick as they were always together in their old tank. I used seeded material to cycle and in three days, it was ready.

I have done a partial water change and I ended up removing all live plants as they tore everything up during their battle apparently. The one parrot appears okay. He is swimming and eating but at this point, I am not sure I can add anything to his tank (pretty sure the male survived).

I have given the tiger barbs to a friend for her newly cycled tank. I really don't want to put my GBR or Bolivian rams in there with the parrot-any thoughts on purchasing a second blood parrot or adding a Jack Dempsey? I also have some kribs and of course mbuna but don't think that is a good idea.

 

Good morning,

On rare occasions, Bloody Parrots may very well have a fight to the death, usually a fight over territory. My Love Heart Bloody Parrot "Lovely" (now deceased), would protect her terracotta urn and killed 2 other Bloody Parrots over the years. Sometimes there is nothing you can do about it. The urn was hers and hers alone. She lived in it for many, many years to the ripe old age of 14.

Sorry for your loss. I know it isn't easy and can be frustrating. I'll have to leave the restocking up you and others. If you do want to add another Bloody Parrot, the longer you wait, the more territory issues may develop from the current resident. The new fish may be accepted or it may not. Personally, I've never had an issue by adding Bloody Parrots to the ones I currently have. They have always been treated as one of the family, however, this has not been the experience for everyone. Maybe it's due to the large tanks I've always housed them in, the more space the better for these fish. My current elder is 14 and 10" x 8".

Best of luck, keep us posted.

Ken

 

Omg so sorry for your loss, Claire! Don't be too hard on yourself; there's no way you could have known this was going to happen. The only thing I can even begin to think of is that they were trying to establish their own territories in their new home, but that is just a longshot guess. Once again, so sorry!!! Personally, I would try bringing another parrot in. But there's no way to know what will happen for sure.

 

I am sorry you had such a bad thing happen with your fish

 

Thanks guys and Ken, What size tank do you have for them? I really like them and they have such interesting behaviors. Perhaps I need a different tank.
I also wondered if the tank being at 84 could have caused the aggression. I have ordered a room air conditioner to go in the loft-it will have an automatic function so the room will not go over 78 in the daytime.
Perhaps Utkgreg, it was a territory issue and if that is the case, I don't think I can find a blood parrot the size of the parrot that is left-won't he fight that one also? Thoughts on a smaller one being able to compete?
Thank you Thunder ob.

 

Good morning,

I have the one set up, my 265g tank. IMO the larger the tank the better for the Bloody Parrots. My stocking list is in my signature above in post #2. If you want a larger tank, go for the largest that you have the space for. Most of my fish started out in a 72g bow front, then I upgraded to the 155g bow front and now the 265g regular tank. I sold the 72g and the 155g here on Fish Lore.

Keep us posted.

Ken