Parrot Cichlid being aggressive

55 gal tank, cycled for over a month. Added 2 parrots , one deep orange about 3-4 inch baby, another a little small slightly orange in color, they were sold in pairs in my lfs. The tank is well planted and decent hiding spots ,but the bigger parrot keeps chasing the smaller one, it's not even been 6 hrs , I know I panick too early but I don't want to kill one by getting stressed. So the smaller one is getting bumped by the other throughout its body , and he's being pushed at one corner always. Btw I don't know if they are male/female. My lfs refused to take 1 back and I don't have anyone whom I can give it to. So only option for me is to wait and watch what happens, what can it be? Territorial aggression? Will this stop?and can they kill each other?

 

This is the issue with cichlids. Putting 2 cichlids in the tank usually results in this type of issue. Parrots are even worse. I like to advise keeping parrots in any numeration except 2. The reason is what you are going through now. A 55 gallon really is only large enough for 1 parrot long term. 2 is pushing it and I probably wouldn't even attempt 3.

Are there any other fish in the tank?

Your options are this...

1) Rehome one of the parrots. I know you said this really isn't an option but you may have some fish groups local, craigslist, etc

2) Rescape the tank and provide the smaller parrot with plenty of hiding spots that it can duck away and get some peace. Then give them some time (may take days, or weeks, etc) and see if it balances out. I doubt it will but it might. Hopefully the other parrot won't kill it between now and then.

3) Get another parrot and some schoolers like tetras or rainbows. THis will spread out the aggression so that the one little parrot isn't getting the brunt of the abuse. Now, long term a 55 isn't going to be able to home 3 parrots and other fish. So you'll want to either pick your favorite and rehome the other 2 or upgrade to a 75/90 gallon

 

This is the issue with cichlids. Putting 2 cichlids in the tank usually results in this type of issue. Parrots are even worse. I like to advise keeping parrots in any numeration except 2. The reason is what you are going through now. A 55 gallon really is only large enough for 1 parrot long term. 2 is pushing it and I probably wouldn't even attempt 3.

Are there any other fish in the tank?

Your options are this...

1) Rehome one of the parrots. I know you said this really isn't an option but you may have some fish groups local, craigslist, etc

2) Rescape the tank and provide the smaller parrot with plenty of hiding spots that it can duck away and get some peace. Then give them some time (may take days, or weeks, etc) and see if it balances out. I doubt it will but it might. Hopefully the other parrot won't kill it between now and then.

3) Get another parrot and some schoolers like tetras or rainbows. THis will spread out the aggression so that the one little parrot isn't getting the brunt of the abuse. Now, long term a 55 isn't going to be able to home 3 parrots and other fish. So you'll want to either pick your favorite and rehome the other 2 or upgrade to a 75/90 gallon

I will try to rescape it and see how it goes. And maybe add few tetras. I will update soon

This is the issue with cichlids. Putting 2 cichlids in the tank usually results in this type of issue. Parrots are even worse. I like to advise keeping parrots in any numeration except 2. The reason is what you are going through now. A 55 gallon really is only large enough for 1 parrot long term. 2 is pushing it and I probably wouldn't even attempt 3.

Are there any other fish in the tank?

Your options are this...

1) Rehome one of the parrots. I know you said this really isn't an option but you may have some fish groups local, craigslist, etc

2) Rescape the tank and provide the smaller parrot with plenty of hiding spots that it can duck away and get some peace. Then give them some time (may take days, or weeks, etc) and see if it balances out. I doubt it will but it might. Hopefully the other parrot won't kill it between now and then.

3) Get another parrot and some schoolers like tetras or rainbows. THis will spread out the aggression so that the one little parrot isn't getting the brunt of the abuse. Now, long term a 55 isn't going to be able to home 3 parrots and other fish. So you'll want to either pick your favorite and rehome the other 2 or upgrade to a 75/90 gallon

I noticed the smaller parrot's tail got torn a little. I just fed them some tetra bite pellets and blood worms. They ate together without any issue.

 

It's getting worse, constant chasing , the smaller one is hiding behind the filter 24*7 , haven't found any home for it , lfs won't take it back. I rescaped everything , added new hiding pots but it's still same. I don't have any other option rather waiting.;(

 

Sounds like your only option would be to see if you can buy another parrot and maybe some dither fish like tetras to spread the aggression.

 

Sounds like your only option would be to see if you can buy another parrot and maybe some dither fish like tetras to spread the aggression.

I saw some baby yellow labs/ royal blue cichlids (malwaii) in my local lfs,(3 inch ) likely.will they be ok with the parrots?

 

those are africans and should not be mixed with central american cichlids. I'd look for another parrot not another species. Or try to sell one of the parrots on craigslist/facebook

 

Its pot luck with parrots Ive had 3 for over a year and I pulled my hair out with them seriously the worst fish to get to live in harmony, only just got equilibrium recently as two paired off MF and the other just dominates the rest of the tank while the MF do what they do. This is in a 120 too, I tried everything before from bucketing them to planting the tank heavily with elodea which did give a temporary fix but it just goes back to chaos. I don't know how they do it on youtube maybe if you had like 8 they would chill I don't know, a 55 is basically a wrestling ring for two parrots as well, do you have a pic of the set up ?

 

Its pot luck with parrots Ive had 3 for over a year and I pulled my hair out with them seriously the worst fish to get to live in harmony, only just got equilibrium recently as two paired off MF and the other just dominates the rest of the tank while the MF do what they do. This is in a 120 too, I tried everything before from bucketing them to planting the tank heavily with elodea which did give a temporary fix but it just goes back to chaos. I don't know how they do it on youtube maybe if you had like 8 they would chill I don't know, a 55 is basically a wrestling ring for two parrots as well, do you have a pic of the set up ?

I will get one when I will go to the club, the aquarium is there . I have placed three pots, 1 cave and fully planted -_-, and now the fishes are

 

I hope it works out, I been there man its horrible. These fish are not beginner fish I had a bad start too lol.

 

Thanks, hoping the same. Fish hobby is real tough

I hope it works out, I been there man its horrible. These fish are not beginner fish I had a bad start too lol.