Quoyi Parrotfish Suitable for Aggressive Tank?

[Wandering Albatross]

Hey all, I was wondering if anyone has kept a quoyi, or any parrotfish for that matter, in a tank with assertive or aggressive fish? Talking triggers, large angels, larger aggressive tangs, larger wrasse, puffers, of eels? I’ve heard mixed reviews on how aquarium-hardy they are, but they’re beautiful enough to want to try. I don’t want him to be pushed around though. If his size will help reduce bullying directed at him I’ll get him bigger and earlier in the stocking.
If not, I’ll save him for another system.

Was looking at the bicolor initially for ease to obtain and adult colors, but it’s listed as growing to almost 30”. Tank would be a 7’ by 30” footprint so was concerned he’d get too big. Granted, he may not get that big in captivity.

Thoughts?

 

[Justfebreezeit]

They are big swimmers to. Tank size is a big limiting factor

 

[Wandering Albatross]

They are big swimmers to. Tank size is a big limiting factor

Is a 7-footer not enough? I can't go much bigger at this time. The main reason to get up to this length was for tangs, plus large show fish.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

I can't comment on that exactly. Ive no firsthand experience or knowledge.

However there is a marine sanctuary i take my kids to a few times a month and they have a couple blue parrotfish in a pretty good size tank. Maybe 12ft? It seems happy enough but does use the length of the tank a few times a minute

 

[Wandering Albatross]

I can't comment on that exactly. Ive no firsthand experience or knowledge.

However there is a marine sanctuary i take my kids to a few times a month and they have a couple blue parrotfish in a pretty good size tank. Maybe 12ft? It seems happy enough but does use the length of the tank a few times a minute

Do you know if having high flow would help them with the urge to ‘travel’ the tank? I know some of the more high-strung tangs like to play in high flow areas.

I’m going for lots of open space to cruise between while still having some caves in the lower areas for the triggers and eels. And if the puffer needs it, some sheltered areas with lower flow.

 

[Ks4726]

Quoyi parrotfish are easily bullied. I had one for awhile, many of my tangs would attack it, and id have to remove the tang cause once they started it, things just got worse.

 

[BryanM]

They are easily stressed. I think this idea is generally bad.

 

[Wandering Albatross]

Quoyi parrotfish are easily bullied. I had one for awhile, many of my tangs would attack it, and id have to remove the tang cause once they started it, things just got worse.

They are easily stressed. I think this idea is generally bad.

Would a bicolor be better, or is it a parrotfish trait? That's a shame cause I like the colors.

 

[BryanM]

Would a bicolor be better, or is it a parrotfish trait? That's a shame cause I like the colors.

Well, this seems like a worse choice in so much as they get MASSIVE (2.5 feet), they are absolutely not reef safe (eat coral, break rocks), still can be bullied, and don't do very well in home tanks even if the tank is appropriately sized.

They are gorgeous, and better viewed at a local aquarium.

 

[Ks4726]

Would a bicolor be better, or is it a parrotfish trait? That's a shame cause I like the colors.

Ive only had experience with the qouyi so I dont know. Quoyi aren't usually long lived in the hobby unfortunately.

 

[Ks4726]

And they are known to chomp at the glass with their beaks. Acrylic definitely wouldn't work but mine actually left marks on my glass from scraping it.

 

[Wandering Albatross]

Between potential glass scraping, size, and temperament, they won’t fit well in this setup, thanks for the insight.

 

[Wandering Albatross]

On a similar note, anyone have experience with the paddle fin wrasse (thylassoma lucasanum)? In its description it claims it’s mostly blue and yellow, the image looks purple to me. Was wondering if perhaps the terminal males get purple. Are there any large wrasse that would do well in an aggressive environment that have purple coloration or accents?