Bicolor Parrot Fish

rad

rad

Member
Thoughts on this fish? I know he eats SPS and a bunch of other corals but he is going to go in to a FOWLR tank. I've observed him for a couple months and hes not aggressive, but at the same time I need to know hardiness, and just personal experiences with this fish. and I am open to any and all responses on this one.
 
btb9000

btb9000

Member
A common misconception is that they eat coral. They don't.
They eat the algae that usually grows on coral, and to get that algae, they'll usually take chunks out of coral.
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
That fish grows over 30 inches. I sure hope you have a large tank. They are hard to feed and do not make good aquarium inhabitants for these reasons.
 
N

nereef

Guest
they are very hardy...in the ocean. they should be left there for reasons sep just said, unless you have a system of several hundred gallons.
 
tokey

tokey

Member
If it's for your 12 gal aquapod you will kill it in less than 24 hrs this fish needs a very large tank. Save your money and look at smaller fish.
 
rad

rad

Member
^thanks for the advice toki. Im sure the fish appreciate all the hard work you put in to researching my post. But Im happy to say that the fish is not going in to my pod. I recently got a 100 gallon tank and I wanted to make that my first fish. Ive been watching him forever (a couple months) at my LFS, he recognizes me and comes up to the front of the tank when Im around. hell, he even lets me pet him. I know thats not good for their slime coat, but its not like I do it all the time. But needless to say, Ive found a friend. Im fully aware that the fish gets to be 30+ inches, but I figure he will be better off in my tank than some idiot who has a 75 and wants a 'large' fish.
but I want him to be the first fish in my tank after it cycles. thats why I was questioning his hardiness.
and thanks for that link to the other thread 987, I didnt know the little guy color morphed. thats pretty sweet.
 
N

nereef

Guest
if you buy the fish, the lfs will see that it sold. the fish will then just get reordered, so you're not technically saving a fish...more like the reverse for several others.
 
alix2.0

alix2.0

Active Member
Originally Posted by NEreef
if you buy the fish, the lfs will see that it sold. the fish will then just get reordered, so you're not technically saving a fish...more like the reverse for several others.
i think the point hes trying to make is that either way this fish is probably going to get bought, and then yes the LFS will re-order them. so if the fish is going to be sold either way, why not let it at least go to a good tank?
edit// by the way, i have no idea if a 100 gallon tank is a good size for this fish, it seems a tad small. just trying to make a point.
 
tokey

tokey

Member
rad said:
^thanks for the advice toki. Im sure the fish appreciate all the hard work you put in to researching my post. But Im happy to say that the fish is not going in to my pod. I recently got a 100 gallon tank and I wanted to make that my first fish. Ive been watching him forever (a couple months) at my LFS, he recognizes me and comes up to the front of the tank when Im around. hell, he even lets me pet him. I know thats not good for their slime coat, but its not like I do it all the time. But needless to say, Ive found a friend. Im fully aware that the fish gets to be 30+ inches, but I figure he will be better off in my tank than some idiot who has a 75 and wants a 'large' fish.
but I want him to be the first fish in my tank after it cycles. thats why I was questioning his hardiness.
/QUOTE]
If you want advice on a fish it is usually a good idea to mention the size of the tank you are going to use.
The reason we fill out the form about the size of our systems and equipment is so others can see what you have and base our comments on it.

Oh ya 100gals is way to small for that fish not that you care.
Click to expand...
 
bessycerka

bessycerka

Member
I've seen on TV that the parrot fish are responsible for much of the sand in the ocean, as they excrete the chewed up coral. You might could go into the live sand business.
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by rad
^thanks for the advice toki. Im sure the fish appreciate all the hard work you put in to researching my post. But Im happy to say that the fish is not going in to my pod. I recently got a 100 gallon tank and I wanted to make that my first fish. Ive been watching him forever (a couple months) at my LFS, he recognizes me and comes up to the front of the tank when Im around. hell, he even lets me pet him. I know thats not good for their slime coat, but its not like I do it all the time. But needless to say, Ive found a friend. Im fully aware that the fish gets to be 30+ inches, but I figure he will be better off in my tank than some idiot who has a 75 and wants a 'large' fish.
but I want him to be the first fish in my tank after it cycles. thats why I was questioning his hardiness.
and thanks for that link to the other thread 987, I didnt know the little guy color morphed. thats pretty sweet.
Rad, I understand your desire to get this fish. We are not trying to discourage your love of fish but simply pointing out that this fish is not a good choice. The bare minimum tank size is 300 gallons. The tank must be well established (a year is good) and have ample corals with algae growing on them. They have a specific diet that is hard to replicate. They belong in the sea. It is not a good choice for your system. I am sorry.
 
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