Blood Parrot won't eat!

[Perrytheparrotfish]

I have had a blood parrot for 3 and 1/2 weeks and he is always hiding and i have never seen him eat. I feed him cichlid pellets. Please help!

 

[HUKIT]

What kind of tankmates, tank size, and what are you specifically feeding him? Blood parrots are rather shy when kept alone.

 

[Perrytheparrotfish]

He is in a 28 gallon bow front with two gouramis. He is about 4 inches. I plan on moving him and the gouramis into a bigger tank. I feed him slow sinking pellets(which dont sink).

 

[HUKIT]

Does he even make an attempt at food or simply just hides and refuses to eat?

 

[Perrytheparrotfish]

He makes an attempt...but doesn't get to it fast enough. He also won't eat the food from the top.

 

[HUKIT]

He makes an attempt...but doesn't get to it fast enough. He also won't eat the food from the top.

Sounds like you answered your question, your going to have to spot feed him with a different food maybe use a sinking pellet he can eat or presoak them quickly so they do sink. Like I said they are shy without other BP's around which always surprised me from a hybrid of a red devil, so special care to feeding must be given.

 

[Mogurako]

Mine would only eat very small diameter sinking pellets from the bottom of the tank.

 

[Perrytheparrotfish]

So should I get another BP?

 

[Perrytheparrotfish]

Should i get mini pellets?

 

[Mogurako]

It would help him/her be less shy but I would get a bigger tank first.

 

[HUKIT]

So should I get another BP?

Not in that sized tank, they will reach the 10" mark so in order to house two a 55g would be the minimum if they're alone. Just spot feed them with a sinking pellet while the gourami's are feeding from the surface.

 

[Perrytheparrotfish]

Petco has a 1.5-2 inch BP

 

[Perrytheparrotfish]

I also have blood worms

 

[HUKIT]

Petco has a 1.5-2 inch BP

They don't stay that way forever, never buy the fish before the tank.

 

[Perrytheparrotfish]

I know they will grow... Should I rehome it if I can't get a bigger tank?

 

[HUKIT]

Yes.............

 

[Perrytheparrotfish]

Ok if I take it back to petsmart, what fish would you recommend with the gouramis?