ADDING NEW FISH...

Question
Hi Joe.  I have a 40 gal. tank with a knife fish, a dojo loach, a rope fish, a needlenose gar, and a parrot fish (cichlid).  I just added two smaller parrot fish, and they seem to be hiding.  Are they in danger from any of these other fish?  The gar that usually hangs out at the top, is now circling around at the bottom.  The little guys seem scared.  Should I put them in a tank of their own?  Thanks for your help.

Answer
Happy Easter, Sue!
Generally, any Cichlid should be kept "with it's own kind".
If the one that was already in there is getting along good with the knife fish and others, then it could be that he/she has become territorial and is making it uncomfortable for the 2 little guys. It's hard to say without me actually seeing what is gong on.
You could wait a week or so and see if they all adjust, but if it starts to get too aggressive in there and the little ones aren't eating, I would pull them out. Maybe you can even exchange them at the pet store?.
Let me know what happens.
P.S. Ultimately, the best solution would be 2 tanks.
One just for Parrots and other compatible cichlids, and the community tank :-)