Can Cichlids & Parrot Fish Be Tankmates?

The parrot fish is known for its distinctively shaped mouth, which really does resemble the beak of a parrot. Parrot fish are actually cichlids, but unlike some other breeds they tend to be rather peaceful in the community tank. You can house parrot cichlids with fish like silver dollars, danios, barbs and with some other species of cichlids as well.

  1. Avoid Convict Cichlids

    • While you can keep parrot cichlids with some other species of cichlid, it is best to avoid housing them with convict cichlids. That is not necessarily due to a risk of aggression, although that can happen as well. Rather, there is a strong risk of interbreeding between the convict and the parrot cichlids. In fact, the bubblegum parrot fish and jellybean parrot fish offered for sale are actually hybrids between parrot cichlids and convicts.

    South American Cichlids

    • Parrot fish do better when housed with South American cichlids, as opposed to the many species of African cichlids. It should not be hard to find suitable South American cichlids to keep your parrot fish company. There are literally thousands of different species, with many widely available at the same pet stores that sell parrot fish. As with all cichlids, choose tank mates of similar size and temperament. Avoid choosing tank mates that are larger or more aggressive than your parrot fish.

    Tank Setup

    • Cichlids, including parrot fish, need to have their tanks set up properly in order to be comfortable and at home. The parrot cichlid needs a tank with a soft substate like sand. You can add driftwood, hogwood and rocks to the tank as well. Use that wood and rocks to create cave formations throughout the tank. Parrot fish need to have suitable hiding places throughout the tank. If they do not have those hiding places they can become quite shy. In addition to tank setup, aquarium size is important. Parrot cichlids can get quite large, and you need a minimum 50-gallon tank to house them comfortably.

    Observe Your Fish

    • One of the things that makes cichlids such fascinating pets is that each one has its own personality. While parrot fish tend to be quite peaceful, some individual fish can be very aggressive. If you plan to house your parrots with other cichlids, or other community fish, you need to watch closely for signs of aggression and be prepared to remove any fish that are being bullied. You also need to monitor for aggression on the part of other tank mates, who may harrass and even harm the parrot fish.