Crum
Member
I got a baby blood parrot on Saturday. He's about 1 inch, currently in my 20 gallon with a couple mollies. I do plan on moving him to a larger tank by himself (either 40 or 55 gallons) within the next few months or so. But for now he's smaller than my mollies so he's fine in there.
One thing I have noticed is that he always seems to be 'breathing' really heavily. His gills extend out pretty far and fast. Any ideas why? This tank has been established for a year and I've never had a poor water quality test as far as I remember so I know it's probably not the water quality, ph temp and all is good for parrots as well, unless he doesn't like how hard my water is (I don't have a water softener in my building so)
I plan on adding a few more hiding spots once I find some (small town... they didn't have any big enough ones in every store that sells fish stuff .-.) he currently hides behind some driftwood in the tank. Whenever one of the (much larger than him) ghost shrimp or fish goes back there he nips at them so I assume he has claimed that area which seems good.
He's also been eating fine. Not enthusiastically, but when he sees some food float by him he will come out of his spot and eat it.
I also noticed that he is much less skittish when the lights of the tank are off. When they're on whenever I walk by the tank he quickly hides but when they are off he slowly explores the tank and doesn't seem to mind my presence. Still always breathes fast though.
He also seems to move around kind of odd. He doesn't really just stay in one spot he's always jiggling around in place back and forth (almost like his gill movement is pushing him backwards)
Is he ok? Is there anything I can do? ;-; more hiding spots maybe? it's been 3 days and I already love him so much I just want him to be ok!
Side notes- he's from petsmart so who knows if he already has something... I also didn't quarantine because of a few reasons (one of which being I can't have another tank)
I can get a video if it would be helpful.
Thanks
One thing I have noticed is that he always seems to be 'breathing' really heavily. His gills extend out pretty far and fast. Any ideas why? This tank has been established for a year and I've never had a poor water quality test as far as I remember so I know it's probably not the water quality, ph temp and all is good for parrots as well, unless he doesn't like how hard my water is (I don't have a water softener in my building so)
I plan on adding a few more hiding spots once I find some (small town... they didn't have any big enough ones in every store that sells fish stuff .-.) he currently hides behind some driftwood in the tank. Whenever one of the (much larger than him) ghost shrimp or fish goes back there he nips at them so I assume he has claimed that area which seems good.
He's also been eating fine. Not enthusiastically, but when he sees some food float by him he will come out of his spot and eat it.
I also noticed that he is much less skittish when the lights of the tank are off. When they're on whenever I walk by the tank he quickly hides but when they are off he slowly explores the tank and doesn't seem to mind my presence. Still always breathes fast though.
He also seems to move around kind of odd. He doesn't really just stay in one spot he's always jiggling around in place back and forth (almost like his gill movement is pushing him backwards)
Is he ok? Is there anything I can do? ;-; more hiding spots maybe? it's been 3 days and I already love him so much I just want him to be ok!
Side notes- he's from petsmart so who knows if he already has something... I also didn't quarantine because of a few reasons (one of which being I can't have another tank)
I can get a video if it would be helpful.
Thanks
