I purchased a beautiful 4 inch Quoy's parrotfish, Scarus quoyi, from Bluezoo. It arrived this past Friday, 4 days ago today. They are reputed to be one of the only reef safe parrotfish. I know a few people out there keep these fish in reef tanks. I currently have the fish in an established quarantine tank with live rock. He has been hiding in the rock and has not eaten yet. His color appears normal and he doesn't appear to be sick at least from outward observation. He just sits there quietely hiding in the rock. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for getting him to eat. I have tried spectrum pellets, frozen brine, lifeline herbivore and flakes and have had no luck even getting him to move. Also, is this normal behavior for them to be extremely shy and hide for days like this?
Quoy's parrotfish questions
- Thread starter Chooch1
- Start date
MrTuskfish
Team RC
Call BZ and ask them, they're nice folks.
If I remember, BZ will only sell fish like this after talking to you about their care. As of now, they don't even list the fish in their data base. I cannot imagine a parrot fish eating flake or pellet food. I doubt they are reef safe; a quick Google said this:
"General Husbandry: Has a temperature range of 72 - 82°F (22 - 28°C) and feeds upon algae covered rock and coral branches/mounds"" Thats what almost all parrotfish eat.
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Actually there are people on this board who are keeping or have kept this parrot in reef tanks with little to no coral munching. A number of European hobbyists have kept them as well. Pieter with the six meter tank on youtube has a specimen in his tank. I recall him saying it caused no problems with his corals.
I have 2 quoiy and both eat pellets flakes and don't touch corals, I also quarantined one for a Friend a Short while ago.
they are very shy in the beginning especially while someone is in the room, mine began to eat myses that I put into the tank and immediately left the room and only peeked in through the door, try this a few times.
they are very shy in the beginning especially while someone is in the room, mine began to eat myses that I put into the tank and immediately left the room and only peeked in through the door, try this a few times.
I kept one in my reef for several years.
The key I think for Parrotfish in general is to treat for internal parasites while in QT. I used praziquantel baths and hypo-salinity for external. Otherwise they will fool you, and do well for even a couple of years before slowly wasting away.
I want one BTW, and am on my way to BZ right now!!!
John
The key I think for Parrotfish in general is to treat for internal parasites while in QT. I used praziquantel baths and hypo-salinity for external. Otherwise they will fool you, and do well for even a couple of years before slowly wasting away.
I want one BTW, and am on my way to BZ right now!!!
John
Monkeyfish
Active member
The only parrotfish I see on Blue Zoo are Scarus taeniopterus (Princess) and Cetoscarus bicolor. Are you sure you received a Quoyi?
Definitely a Qouys, although they had him tagged as a red cheeked parrotfish.
Monkeyfish
Active member
Hey John,
Got any pics of your 1000 gallon reef? I'd love to see them!
Got any pics of your 1000 gallon reef? I'd love to see them!
The parrotfish I purchased from Bluezoo was mislabeled as a Princess, Scarus taeniopterus. It's definitely a Quoy's. It's becoming less shy and now allows me to stand there while I feed it. It's eating frozen food including Lifeline herbivore, mysis and even flake food with gusto. It's curently in quarantine being treated with Prazipro. I'll do one more treatment and then move him to my 180 gal mixed reef in another 12 days or so. The colors are gorgeous.
Monkeyfish
Active member
I've always wanted a parrotfish, but after diving and seeing them in the ocean I'm hesitant to put one in my 180 which is the biggest tank I have. Parrotfish get BIG!
Sadly I no longer have the 1000 gallon. Had to move.
For the time being I have a nice 235.
The Quoys only get to about 12" long, and the one I had for 3+ years only got to about 7". When I moved my friend kept him with no problems in his 800 gallon mixed reef, until a tank crash killed him
Cooch1, You might want to use levamisol as well. I have been reading a little about levamisole baths for nemotodes, which are common intestinal parasites in parrot fish.
PM me and I can tell you what I find.
John
For the time being I have a nice 235.
The Quoys only get to about 12" long, and the one I had for 3+ years only got to about 7". When I moved my friend kept him with no problems in his 800 gallon mixed reef, until a tank crash killed him
Cooch1, You might want to use levamisol as well. I have been reading a little about levamisole baths for nemotodes, which are common intestinal parasites in parrot fish.
PM me and I can tell you what I find.
John
Monkeyfish
Active member
To those who have a Quoy - what size tank do you have the fish in and for how long?
