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My blood parrots usually use the big caves in the tank but I will provide a smaller cave that they can't get in for the zebra pleco. Will the zebra try and fight the parrots for all the caves? Or will it be happy in his one? Anyone have a similar situation in their tank?

I don't think a parrot is an apropriate tankmate for a zeb.

Agressive Parrot - in with a zeb

good luck.

I too would not put a parrot in the same tank with zebras

Actually parrot cichlids aren't as aggressive as many people think. People think they are aggressive because it's a cichlid, but they are actually pretty peaceful. The only real concern is real small fish that are able to fit in it's mouth.

I got cories and congo tetras in the tank with them, and they don't pay attention to them at all. You can go to bloodparrots.co.uk and see how many people have kept cories and even otos with no problem.

So that really isn't my concern. I'm just wondering if any of you have a similar experience, where one of your fish is using certain caves in the tank.

Why not search "tank mates" on this site.

You asked for advice, you got it, then dismiss it, so why ask.

Dave

I'm sorry the answers don't say why they are not compatible. I was responding to what I thought was that the parrots would maul the zebras or something.

I wasn't trying to reject the advice, I was just stating what I know from blood parrot forums and personal experience about this, that they will not pesker the zebras or go for an eye or anything like that, because they don't bother cories and they are smaller than the zebras.

But anyhow, any thoughts about why the parrots wouldn't make good tankmates would be appreciated.

Pibbs wrote:But anyhow, any thoughts about why the parrots wouldn't make good tankmates would be appreciated.

To much competition on food and hidingplaces.

The fact that food would probably not make it to the zebras.
Zebras prefer it pretty hot and most tankmates don't fare well for too long in that temp.
A parrot is still a cichlid no matter how docile it is it could easily snap.

Peacefull fish?

Look here: http://bloodparrots.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12784

I'd give that parrot flying lessons

Hey I didn't say your hand would be safe, I just said the fish would

Anyhow thanks for the advice.

A blood parrot is half midas cichlid (aka red terror) and they have most of the midas's aggresive traits aswell. I would'nt even keep parrots in with my foot long birchir and oscars! I have personaly seen three parrots absolutely nail a 2 foot silver arowana and a gar, so im sure a zeb will be an easy target. Very silly to keep them together, escpecially as your ze probably cost you £100's and the parrot, what £15 pounds!

I have read posts all over the net by people who claim their naturally agressive fish is just a calm docile guy in their tanks.

Fish can't change their basic nature and sooner or later they do revert to kind. When your's do, it will be an expensive lesson.

Allright, thanks for the info guys.