Topic: Making Parrots Feel Safe

[livewireumd]

Good Morning,

I recently purchased two blood parrots (3.5 Inches a piece) and added them to a 45g that houses 3 Giant Danios and a 2.5 Inch Jewel. Some background information on the tank: It has been running for about 14 months now with the Jewel and Giant Danios and I'm convinced my Jewel is not going to grow much more... I think the Baltimore water slows growth or something. My two blood parrots FREAK OUT whenever they see me and hide in a log that I have. My Jewel used to hide in the log and would never come out if she saw me approach the tank but now that she has nowhere to hide she embraces me and comes to the top when she sees me approach. I'm thinking about taking the log out so the Parrots realize that when they see me they don't have to be scared. They can't possibly get used to me if they hide in the log every time they see me (how will they learn? how will they know that food is put in the tank if it's all gone by the time they come out?)

Thoughts? I'm convinced that adding more hiding spots is NOT the answer. Maybe adding another school of dithers? but 3 giant danios should already be enough... they werent enough to get my jewel out of hiding and wont be enough to get 2 parrots out of hiding.

Thanks all.

[Gerry]

Most cichlids are shy when first put in a new tank. I would just give them time to learn your no danger and in fact the food guy.

To help speed things up you can sit in front of the tank and feed small and often.

On a side note I don't think a 45gal will be big enough for all your fish when the parrots get bigger

[callen]

Welcome to the site

Agree they just need a little time to adjust and get use to their new home

To be on the safe side you may want to test your water to make sure it's pristine and that is not what is effecting them. 

[Ezekial]

Agreed. They need time but it's been my understanding that parrots are naturally shy.  If you don't give them cover they feel exposed.  There are some fish that require cover to feel secure enough for their personalities to come out.  I can think of several off the top of my head;  Jack Dempseys, Chocolate cichlids, Salvini's, and clown loaches to name a few.  They might do OK in a bare tank but give them some cover where they can hide to feel secure and you might find they actually attempt to hide less  I know that seems counterintuitive but it does happen.  Good luck with them.

[Katt]

Agree, they just need time.

And Welcome. 

[Dale]

I've found that virtually all the cichlids I've kept so far will initially hide away at the sight of anyone approaching their tank, but will gradually relax and become pushy little buggers always wanting to be fed.

Without their shelter they can become easily stressed. It's just down to being patient mate and they'll come around. Also try some different foods to tempt them out, live foods are quite often a good ice breaker.

That Jewel will get bigger, I'm finding that they are very slow growing.
 

[Courtney]

I have two parrots, I got really lucky because they are not shy or skittish what so ever. But I've had ones that were really skittish. I would slowley walk up to the tank and just stand their without moving. Also when ever I walked by I would put a couple pellets in the tank, they will soon see you as the food person. Parrots are shy by nature, they are skittish. Mine have never been skittish though. Taking out the decoration would be a mistake, that won't help. Every fish I believe needs a hiding spot. Just give them some time, they are new and will adjust over time. Just be patient.

[Dan]

Welcome to the site and good luck with your fish.