Parrot Fish food

[Paul Zellmer]

We are currently using a mixture of plaster, calcium, lettuce and vitamens in a flat plate form. Some of our parrot fish feed on this but others ignore it and we must put them back into the reef.
Does any one have a good formula for feeding Parrot Fish?

 

[Anonymous]

Thats interesting- I have not heard of people doing anything similar here. Parrotfish are not generally kept in aquaria, although I see them in public aquaria so I guess they have dealt with the problem.

Making some guesses, I would try seaweed instead of lettuce as it would be better nutritionally and probably taste better to them. Also you might try some shellfish or something mixed into the paste also to stimulate feeding.

 

[cdeakle]

Try seaweed. Give "seaweed selects" a shot......

 

[john f]

What kind of Parrotfish??

My Princess eats anything, but I think parrotfish in general NEED to have coraline algae to really thrive. Green algaes are OK for some of the browsers, but most parrotfish species are grazers and derive MOST of there nutrition from coraline algae.

The plaster idea is done by some public aquaria......but who knows how long those fish actually live. Public aquariums have huge budgets and can just order another large parrotfish when one dies in display.

Why not just keep the parrotfish in a large tank with live rock and let them get their nutrition the right way???


John

 

[Anonymous]

That would have to be a huge tank, would it not?

 

[Chooch]

I kept a Bower's parrotfish, Scarus bowersi, about 10 years ago. Mine would eat freeze dried krill, Formula two and some other items. Still, it eventually became emaciated and wasted away after about a year. It was painful to watch as it was a beautiful and personable fish. I've heard of very few people having any long term success with parrotfish although I'm sure there are exceptions and I am aware that the Shedd Aquarium kept a rainbow parrotfish for many years and in fact may still have it. I would generally recommend against keeping them in captivity unless thier grazing needs can be met.

 

[Anonymous]

Parrot fish should be left in the ocean - period.

Jim

 

[john f]

Very reactionary.

My Princess parrotfish is about 8 inches long. He MAY reach his maximum length of 12" in my 1000 gallon reef tank. I would bet he will reach only about 10". I have had him for almost 2 years and he is very fat and healthy.

Granted.........Bicolors and Stoplights and Queens have no business in most residential systems. They simply get too big.

A princess can be kept I believe in a large reef tank ( 180+) provided he has enough room to swim ( open space) and enough live rock to munch on.

John

 

[Anonymous]

Good job John! However my statement is not reactonary. I've been at this for a long time, I've worked in stores and wholesalers as well in the past when I was a youngin :wink: I've seen lots of dead parrots. I don't remember one customer being successful with one.
Just because you can keep one, doesn't mean they should be collected. If a species as a whole doesn't survive well in captivity, it should not be collected. End of story.

Jim

 

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind that the poster is in Guam, and if the fish doesn't seem to be thriving can return it to the ocean, I assume.

 

[Anonymous]

I realize that - a special case for sure. :wink:

Jim

 

[john f]

"If a species as a whole doesn't survive well in captivity, it should not be collected."

Well........That would preclude a good deal of the fish seen in LFS, as MOST will be dead within a year. I do understand the RESPONSIBILTY of the buyer to provide the proper conditions for captive husbandry, but if we followed your above advice nobody would be keeping Acropora today, as 15 years ago NOBODY could keep one alive.
Things change when people learn the specific needs of animals in captivity.

If I am willing to provide the proper environment for keeping a Princess parrotfish.....................I don't want YOU or anyone else telling me I can't have one.

BTW, I also have a Heteractis crispa (7+ years) a H. magnifica (2 years), a Powder Blue tang ( 2 years ), and 10 Anthias ( Squareblock and Bartletts).........Most of these fish would not be imported if we went by the idea that they do poorly in captivity and should not be offered to hobbyists.


Now, I know as well as anybody that a whole bunch of people keeping reef tanks do NOT provide the proper care for their animals, but that is why we have BBs like this one..........to educate those willing to learn and try new things.


John

 

[Anonymous]

I understand what you're saying John. However parrotfish are in a different category than the other species you mention. There are just certain fish that should NOT be collected for the trade, and nothing you say or your successes with them will change that.
Moorish Idols, certain butterfly species, beaked leatherjackets, etc.
The fact that YOU are able to keep it, doesn't justify the thousands of others that are doomed.

Jim

 

[Anonymous]

Good job John! However my statement is not reactonary. I've been at this for a long time, I've worked in stores and wholesalers as well in the past when I was a youngin :wink: I've seen lots of dead parrots.

Jim

SIR! I say, is that parrot dead?

No, it's sleeping.




Iii... I just had to. Where's my red cloak?

 

[hdtran]

I thought it was pining for the fjords, or am I confused?

 

[Baianotang]

What does the princess eat?

 

[naesco]

John, Jim is right and you are wrong for this reason.

Take a look at any online site or LFS. Do see a sign warning newbies of the most difficult requirements of this and other almost impossible to keep species? They bring them in by the tonne and sell them to unsuspecting newbies.
IMO you have the right to purchase this fish but you should be required to place a special order for it. For the one that you have kept alive thousands die and IMO this is no longer tolerated by reasonable reefers.

 

[Anonymous]

Good job John! However my statement is not reactonary. I've been at this for a long time, I've worked in stores and wholesalers as well in the past when I was a youngin :wink: I've seen lots of dead parrots.

Jim

SIR! I say, is that parrot dead?

No, it's sleeping.




Iii... I just had to. Where's my red cloak?

:lol: :lol: ...don't even know if they caught it... Great episodes.
~wings~