Parrot Fish Does Not Grow?

I bought 9 parrot fish 9 months ago and all of them were in the same size. But there’s one of my parrot fish doens’t grow at all while others were already growing big and fat. Anyone can help? Thanks!

 

Ok, I did a little searching and it is quite possible that the fish is a "runt in the litter"

 

Ok, I did a little searching and it is quite possible that the fish is a "runt in the litter"

He is growing well in the environment just that he doesn’t grow big in size. Possible to be a runt too? Previously there were 3 of them that doens’t grow. And always hiding under the bridge together when they sleep. But slowly the other 2 grew, only left this little one.

 

Yea, he is most likely a runt.

 

Is he being out-competed for food??

 

If it was being out-competed for food and she had had it for 9 months, it would not still be alive.

 

It's obvious that the BP is the low man on the totem pole. You could maybe try to put it in another tank to fatten it up for a few months. Perhaps that might help out.

It's getting food, it's just getting the left overs from dinner.

 

If it was being out-competed for food and she had had it for 9 months, it would not still be alive.

Not true at all! Outcompeted for food doesn't necessarily mean that the little guy is getting literally nothing. He just might not be getting as much as the rest of them, or as much as he needs to thrive....causing him to grow slower and maybe even be a little stunted.

 

How large is the tank?

 

Not true at all! Outcompeted for food doesn't necessarily mean that the little guy is getting literally nothing. He just might not be getting as much as the rest of them, or as much as he needs to thrive....causing him to grow slower and maybe even be a little stunted.

Well, yea I guess

 

Not true at all! Outcompeted for food doesn't necessarily mean that the little guy is getting literally nothing. He just might not be getting as much as the rest of them, or as much as he needs to thrive....causing him to grow slower and maybe even be a little stunted.

I observed him for quite long. Realized that he do eat but in a very rush way. Swim to eat and back to his place. Eventhough if there’s still lots of food and other fish did not eat, he don really dare to come out and eat. This only happen during feeding time. Other time he will come out and stay with them.

How large is the tank?

Currently in 3 ft tank. But planning to upgrade the tank as the rest are growing kinda fast

 

Gallon size??

 

It's obvious that the BP is the low man on the totem pole. You could maybe try to put it in another tank to fatten it up for a few months. Perhaps that might help out.

It's getting food, it's just getting the left overs from dinner.

I will try this method! And see whether he grow or not. But he’s still very scare of us.

Gallon size??

45 gallon

 

Huh...? That is odd.......is he jumpy or skiddish at all??

 

honestly, 45 gallons is small for 9 parrots. are you going to upgrade soon?

 

honestly, 45 gallons is small for 9 parrots. are you going to upgrade soon?

Yea. Planning to upgrade. Cause when I got the tank from others, and the fish were so small when I bought them. But recently this 2 months I see them growing super fast. So planning to upgrade to a bigger one. What size should I get for 9 of them?

Huh...? That is odd.......is he jumpy or skiddish at all??

He is very playful during normal time. But all 9 of them are afraid of us. They will still hide when we get near the tank (after so long!) but coming out only when they see we’re holding their food.

 

I would personally put them in a 200.

 

Probably somewhere between 180 and 200 gallons for them all

 

He is very playful during normal time. But all 9 of them are afraid of us. They will still hide when we get near the tank (after so long!) but coming out only when they see we’re holding their food.

That might be it, he is probably scared of the other fish to go eat the leftover food when he is hungry again.

 

That might be it, he is probably scared of the other fish to go eat the leftover food when he is hungry again.

Then should I bring him to another tank alone? Btw his colour is super red and nice. Whereby I have one big in size but pale orange in colour. Sometimes very pale orange. I asked around the fish shops and they just tell me they don know.

I’ll upgrade to 200 gallons for them asap.

 

That's wonderful. Do they fight or sqauble at all? Make sure you have places to hide, and you might want to add an additional 30 or so gallons, as you're going to lose some space from decor and substrate, so keep that in mind

also do your best to break up line of sight. if they don't see eachother, they don't fight and feel less stressed if they have a place to call their own

 

Then should I bring him to another tank alone? Btw his colour is super red and nice. Whereby I have one big in size but pale orange in colour. Sometimes very pale orange. I asked around the fish shops and they just tell me they don know.

I’ll upgrade to 200 gallons for them asap.

Try him in his own tank for a while and see how he does, if he starts improving then keep him in his own tank until he is fully grown then put him in the 200 gallon tank.

 

also do your best to break up line of sight. if they don't see eachother, they don't fight and feel less stressed if they have a place to call their own

I only have a bridge, 2 pcs of wood and few stones inside the tank. They used to have their own place as previously there’s only 3 outgrown. But as the rest grow too, they start ‘lining up’ when they sleep. And they hardly fight now. Previously they fight all day long. ‍♀️

Try him in his own tank for a while and see how he does, if he starts improving then keep him in his own tank until he is fully grown then put him in the 200 gallon tank.

I see. Sure! I will try to move him to another tank first! Thanks for your advise!

 

Anytime you need advice, we are all glad to help!!

 

I read a few of the comments in this thread. Definitely sounds like these fish aren't in a big enough tank. Personally, I slightly overstock my tanks (because I have no self-control), but 9 Parrots in a 45 is just way too small. 180 or 200 might be overkill too. You would be fine with a 125 with some driftwood and plants.

Good luck to the little guy! Hopefully you can move them before they are all stunted.

 

I read a few of the comments in this thread. Definitely sounds like these fish aren't in a big enough tank. Personally, I slightly overstock my tanks (because I have no self-control), but 9 Parrots in a 45 is just way too small. 180 or 200 might be overkill too. You would be fine with a 125 with some driftwood and plants.

Good luck to the little guy! Hopefully you can move them before they are all stunted.

She is getting a 200g

 

200 will give the OP plenty of room, especially since parrots get pretty large eventually. This will give them room to grow and room to each have their own territories. Also when you add wood and substrate and other things, you're gonna lose some gallons.

 

Does the OP know that they can grow up to 8 inches??

 

Does the OP know that they can grow up to 8 inches??

Sometimes they get bigger, but a lot of their size comes from their height. They are tall cichlids.

 

Well...ya.