Jelly Bean - Parrot ?

[DJKSykora]

Hi, I wonder if anyone could give me any info. on the Jelly Bean - Parrot fish.
We have had the 2 for a year, in a 30 gallon freshwater established tank,
with about 10 other misc. fish. They are beautiful. One is orange and the
other larger one is yellow, about half the size of a hand. We are trying to
understand their personality. They dig up the gravel by spitting it out. It
disturbs the plants (not real) and other decor in the tank. They make huge
holes. They are working hard at something. Once last year I thought that they
may have laid eggs, but have not seen anything since. Is this their mating
ritual? I really do not want to get larger stones for the tank, but they are
disturbing it terribly. Any suggestions? Thanks

[MarAzul]

"DJKSykora" > wrote in message
...
> Hi, I wonder if anyone could give me any info. on the Jelly Bean - Parrot
fish.
> We have had the 2 for a year, in a 30 gallon freshwater established
tank,
> with about 10 other misc. fish. They are beautiful. One is orange and the
> other larger one is yellow, about half the size of a hand. We are trying
to
> understand their personality. They dig up the gravel by spitting it out.
It
> disturbs the plants (not real) and other decor in the tank. They make
huge
> holes. They are working hard at something. Once last year I thought that
they
> may have laid eggs, but have not seen anything since. Is this their
mating
> ritual? I really do not want to get larger stones for the tank, but they
are
> disturbing it terribly. Any suggestions? Thanks

Parrots are cichlid hybrids and knowing that is a good step in understanding
behavior. Cichlids are diggers. If they can move the gravel, they will.
I have read conflicting info on whether or not they can reproduce. Majority
of info says b/c they are hybrids they are sterile. I have read maybe one or
two cases where people said they did successfully breed. I'm not sure how
accurate they are though. (on a side note: Jellybeans are dyed. I have read
that perhaps the actual dying process renders them sterile.)

This website has good info:
http://www.geocities.com/parrotcichlid/general.html


Mar
------------------------------------------------
"I meant," said Ipslore, bitterly,"what is there in this world that makes
living worthwhile?"

Death thought about it.
"Cats," he said eventually, "Cats are nice."

-Terry Pratchett, 'Sourcery'