How to help new blood parrot cichlids adjust and start eating?

Hello and thank you for your questions. Here is a helpful link about Blood Red Parrot Cichlids: https://www.petsmart.com/fish/live-fish/goldfish-betta-and-more/blood-red-parrot-cichlid-4034863.html Here's another link about cichlids in general: http://www.tetra-fish.com/fish-type-landing/cichlid.aspx These fish can grow to be large so you will want to start with a 30 gallon tank minimum. I recommend to start with 3-4 fish. These can be housed with other fish but they need to be within the same 'community'. Decorations are important because they give fish a place to hide. Provide a few large rocks, arches and covered areas where fish can hide. Then you can place the plants around the structures. Live plants can aide in providing healthy water. Tetra is a good fish food brand. They have been around a long time and have many varieties to chose from to meet your fish's needs. Make sure to supplement with fish as described in the article as well. Lastly, the frequency of water changes depends upon your tank including water hardness, number of fish, size of tank, filtration system and if live plants are present. A good rule of thumb is a 25% water change every 2 weeks. Cichlids may not be the best choice for a first time fish owner without doing some prior research. I recommend to read up on general aquarium care, cichlid care and to stop by your local aquarium store to discuss any issues specific to your location (such as water hardness, mineralizations within the local water or low/high pH levels). Local stores that specialize in fish and aquariums are often dialed into the local water and can provide a lot of helpful information. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

It can take a day or so for new birds to settle into their environment until they are comfortable enough to eat, drink and resume normal activity. I would make sure they are kept in a quiet, draft-free area to give them a chance to settle in, relax, and get used to things. If they still aren't eating or drinking (or you notice there aren't eaten seeds in their cup-- some birds may not want to eat while being watched at first) after more than a day, or you see visible signs of illness, a vet checkup is best.

If he just arrived in your home, then give him a little longer to adjust. These birds tend to be very wary when they are in a new environment and will often take weeks before they are fully themselves. For now, I would give him some space. Usually, when we get a new pet, we are interested in them and give them a lot of attention. This can be very intimidating for a bird, so the more space you can give him, the better. If you can, leave him alone for two hours in a well-lit room. Junk food for parrots are usually fruits, nuts and seeds. They also tend to like cooked oatmeal, rice, lentils and beans. You can have this available along with the formulated pelleted food and see if he eats any of it. Ideally, you want most of his diet to be the pelleted food, because this contains all the nutrients they need. Once he is eating good, start reducing the junk food and increasing the pellets. If he goes a whole day without eating, then you may want to try syringe feeding him, or taking him to a vet to ensure he is OK. I hope that helps and you get him to eat something soon.

Cichlids in general are quite aggressive. If you have two males, this may compound the aggression. Tou can add some more plants and cover to provide hiding spots. If that doesn't work, a larger tank may be indicated. If a larger tank doesn't work, you may need to keep the aggressor separate.

Thanks for reaching out about your birds. Since they are new arrivals to your home, it is probably stress. Try offering some treats, as in bread or pasta, in a try to stimulate appetite. If continues to be anorexic, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.

If you just bought the birds yesterday they may still be a little stressed causing some fearful behavior and a reduction in appetite. Making sure their cage is in a calm, quiet place, is free from drafts or extreme temperatures and the food offered is appropriate for their needs is a good first step. If your bird continues to not eat, remains listless or has worsening symptoms, seeking veterinary care ASAP is best.

Like any creature moving into a new habitat at first they will be wary and nervous. I would give the fish a bit if time to settle in and become acclimitised to the new tank before worrying too much. If you try and not disturb them overly you will find that they gradually become more comfortable and start to explore the tank.