Care Level: Advanced

Temperament: Peaceful

Reef Compatible: No

General Description: The Princess Parrot is found across the Caribbean Sea. While this species catches the eye of hobbyists, unfortunately the Princess parrot has an extremely poor success rate in the home aquarium. There are several factors that contribute to this, including their large adult size (13″) and high stress levels that often result in disease, but the main factor is their specialized diet of scraping algae off of both dead and living corals. Princess parrots play a critical role in the health of the reef ecosystem, as the calcerous material of the coral skeletons once digested are then excreted from the fish as new sand! Many wrasses are a great alternative to the look of a Princess parrot. Note: Given the specialized care of parrotfish, we order these typically on a special order basis only.

Diet Requirements: Princess parrots are omnivorous. Maintaining the dietary needs of this species in a fish only with live rock aquarium is extremely difficult. Seaweed, Nori and macroalgaes should be offered consistently but are likely not going to be sustainable long term. The zooxanthellae in the tissue of the coral is an important energy source for the Princess parrot, one that cannot be replicated in the home aquarium other than putting this species in an actual reef setting.

Care Requirements: An extremely established minimum 200 gallon aquarium with 18+ inch width is ideal for small/juvenile specimens. An adult Princess parrot will require a much larger aquarium as to not feel confined and therefore stressed. Princess parrots are intolerable of nitrite or ammonia spikes. Biweekly water changes are needed to keep water parameters in good condition (Nitrates < 20 ppm), as Princess parrots are sensitive to deteriorating water conditions. Equipping the aquarium with several canister filters, or a sump system, is required to maintain a healthier environment for this species and provide ample oxygen exchange. A Princess parrot will appreciate some rock work and caves to swim through and take shelter in at night, where it will build a mucous cocoon around itself. Given its activity level however, a lot of open and unobstructed swimming space should also be provided. The Princess parrot is a relatively peaceful species and would do best in an aquarium with other docile and timid species. Do not keep more than one Princess parrot per aquarium. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.

Purchase Size: Small 2-1/2″ to 3-3/4″; Medium: 4″ to 6″; Large: 7″ to 9″

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.