Orange Parrot Cichlids

Question
Hi Ron

My question for you is in regards to 2 orange parrot cichlids i recently purchased. They are alone in a 29 gal tank. I noticed right off the bat that they were fighting over a barrel i have in the tank. My first thought was they are very territorial. I immediately ran out and purchased another large barrel to end the squabble. It's working fine. They both have their own home now. My question is are they always going to "hide"? They never come out. They both pretty much stay in the same position while in the barrels. I have noticed a couple of times i will see one of them peek his head out to try and retrieve food. As soon as they see me or any movement i make they sram back into their home. ANY motion they see outside of the tank, they act very timid. Being that i have never owned this type of fish before, is this normal behavior? I am worried they'll starve. I have a hunch they are sneaking out once the tank light goes out at night. I have seen them (well least one of them) out and about after the light shuts off, but once they sense something in the room they make a beeline back in the barrel. I would appreciate any information you can give me. Also, what do you recommend for their food? I have flake food,shrimp pellets.

Thank you
Linda

Answer
Hi Linda,
 It will take them awhile to get used to their new home.  After that, they will come out more.  You also need to provide more hiding places.  If each fish has only one hiding place, it will be very reluctant to leave it.  A tank should have LOTS of hiding places.  Do not worry about them starving.  They will sneak out to get food, plus they can go a long time without food.

-- Ron C.
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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