[kimseydoll]

I'm terrified that if I get a parrot chichlid in my future, heavily planted tank, that it will rip up the plants. I have a moderately heavy, small pebble gravel, and tend to bury plants deeply. There would only be one chichlid in the tank. Should I be concerned? Would this be a significant problem? It'd be alone in the tank except for some shrimp and cory catfish. :fish1:

 

[rainbuilder]

I wouldn't go for a parrot cichlid, personally. I don't have experience with them, but they don't seem too plant friendly. Depending on your tank size, I'd go with something like an angelfish.

 

[sbarbee54]

Agreed with the above or some drawf ciclids

 

[Complexity]

Parrots like to dig. I've also seen reports that they eat vals. I'm not sure what other plants they may eat. Basically, you have good reason to fear putting one in a planted tank.

 

[HybridHerp]

I keep a big one in mine, and the only problem I get with it is that sometimes it uproots a smaller stem plant by bumping into it too hard. I do need to ask though, you mean a blood parrot and not a TRUE parrot cichlid right? They are two very different fish, and I could see a true parrot destroying a planted tank easily. Blood Parrots though are fine, they don't dig or tear much up, but I will also add as a disclaimer that it depends on the individuals personality.
Aside from that, I don't think a Blood Parrot would work with the shrimp and I would be concerned about the cories