Quoyi parrotfish reef safe?

[SDguy]

BTW congrats!! The colors on that specimen are amazing!

I was on my computer for a long time last night (same room as the tank), and therefore was able to watch and feed the FO tank for quite a while. It looked as if my parrot was doing some displays. He was flying around the tank, and his colors changed. Basically his head and the red area on his body darkened to a matching color, and the top/middle area of him body became a very very pale bright green. It was very interesting!

 

[Rea17]

Hmm somehow I wasn't subscribed to this thread. Whoops!

The parrot arrived in great shape today. It's been ungodly hot here so I was a little worried about shipping, but he had plenty of cold packs.

I put him straight into my 210 reef that I have going until the 520 is ready. My purple tang showed him some interest but nothing I'm concerned about yet. I don't have any large wrasses so I can't comment there. I also haven't seen him eat yet, but I will keep you guys posted. He's been very shy so far, is that normal for this species? He doesn't mind me but seems intimidated by fish half his size.

Really sorry about the glare, but here's a quick pic

 

[Rea17]

Happy to report that my parrot is doing very well. He's eating mysis, clams, seaweed, NLS pellets, and constantly grazing on my rocks and back glass. Gets along well with everyone and has been very active

How is yours doing Beach?

 

[small alien]

Amazing fish. Congratulations.

 

[Dmorty217]

Yesterday I found a princess parrotfish that was 70$ for a 3.73" specimen. I haven't pulled the trigger yet because I like the Quoyis colors so much more, but besides the two that have sold on DD in the last 3 months they have been few and far between

 

[Rea17]

Yesterday I found a princess parrotfish that was 70$ for a 3.73" specimen. I haven't pulled the trigger yet because I like the Quoyis colors so much more, but besides the two that have sold on DD in the last 3 months they have been few and far between

I would wait around for the next Quoyi. With how quickly the last two specimens have sold, relative hardiness, and reef-safe status, I'm hoping Liveaquaria might try to carry them more often. I am really enjoying this fish and I'm hoping to see more available so other experienced aquarists can also. The colors are simply stunning and the fish itself is very outgoing and personable. I can't wait to get my bigger tank up for him. It's probably a month or so out, so the excitement is starting to set in!

Don't settle for a princess!

 

[Dmorty217]

The 520g sounds amazing! I am going to hold off on the princess and wait for the Quoyi since they were 15$ price difference

 

[beachbreak]

How is yours doing Beach?

He is doing very well. Fears no food! If any fish give him grief he flashes those beaver teeth at them and they peacefully swim off. Spends his days cleaning rocks/glass and putting away massive amounts of pellet and mysis. Great fish!

Did yours come in as a male or female?

 

[Rea17]

Advertised as a male, and judging by his colors I'm assuming that he is. I haven't seen the two side by side so I'm not sure I would know for sure if LA didn't specify.

 

[SDguy]

I'm not sure I'd call a terminal phase princess parrot any less attractive than a quoyi

http://reefguide.org/carib/princessparrot.html

 

[Rea17]

I guess they look a little more washed out to me, and I find the shape of the Quoyi more attractive. They are still beautiful fish though.

 

[pinnatus]

OK, so somebody help me. What phases do they go through? Are the males different from the females, do they go through all the phases eventually or do they stop at a given phase? Please educate me.

 

[Dmorty217]

As far as I know it's juvenile, initial, and terminal. I do believe that they go thru each of the stages regardless, don't quote me on that one though

 

[tcmfish]

I believe this one is a terminal phase male:

 

[Rea17]

I believe this one is a terminal phase male:

Beautiful specimen, but I thought males had more red on them? Mine has a significant amount of blue as well. I'm not convinced this is a Quoyi. Anyone else have any thoughts?

The above picture looks like Scarus Rivulatus to me.

 

[tcmfish]

He's a big boy, 8 or 9 inches. Pretty sure its not S. rivulatus. No orange on it. This fish is probably significantly larger than the ones most people have or see for sale.

 

[SDguy]

Hmm, interesting looking fish! I can see the resemblance, but none of the pics I've seen have that mosaic design on the upper snout above the beak. All the pics of the quoyi that I have seen have a very distinct turquoise jaw area with a sort of strap across the snout just above the beak.

 

[Rea17]

Hmm, interesting looking fish! I can see the resemblance, but none of the pics I've seen have that mosaic design on the upper snout above the beak. All the pics of the quoyi that I have seen have a very distinct turquoise jaw area with a sort of strap across the snout just above the beak.

This was my main observation. Also note the bright green pectoral fins and lack of red in the body of the fish. Here are a couple pics of the surf parrot.

Male:


Male and female:


The lack of red on the gill cover in the picture tcmfish posted makes me think it is either a female or an initial phase male. Still a very pretty fish, I have never seen one available before.

 

[tcmfish]

Interesting. FWIW, it doesn't eat coral either.

 

[Fsarmien]

Wow these are beautiful fish. Is this the one that surrounds itself with mucus when it sleeps? It reminds me of the rainbow fish book lol