Got My New Tank Today!

[Winston Smith]

I just purchased my new tank today! I know I got on this forum and talked some big talk about purchasing a 125 gallon tank, however, I had to scale down my ambitions quite a bit and I purchased a 55 gallon tank. I talked to someone at my LFS and he told my I could fit two Electric Blue Jack Dempseys in one 55 gallon tank. He told me EBJDs do not grow as large as regular Jack Dempseys and 55 gallons would be fine for two. I was wondering if this is true. Anyways, I would appreciate any stocking suggestions on a 55 gallon tank with at least one EBJD.

 

[t1tanrush]

I've been told yes by many EBJD keepers, who say the best use for a 55 is a pair of EBJD

 

[rixy]

they are pretty difficult to keep alive though.best to get ebjd approx 3 inches or so.they are a strange fish in that they can die for no apparent reason.if you are a new fish keeper,you'll have a few mishaps along the way as everyone does,but,as ebjd are so expensive,maybe get some hardier cichlids to begin with.

 

[cheesy feet]

I just purchased my new tank today! I know I got on this forum and talked some big talk about purchasing a 125 gallon tank, however, I had to scale down my ambitions quite a bit and I purchased a 55 gallon tank. I talked to someone at my LFS and he told my I could fit two Electric Blue Jack Dempseys in one 55 gallon tank. He told me EBJDs do not grow as large as regular Jack Dempseys and 55 gallons would be fine for two. I was wondering if this is true. Anyways, I would appreciate any stocking suggestions on a 55 gallon tank with at least one EBJD.

Sounds like for once 'the person' at your lfs knows what he is talking about,it's fine!

 

[Winston Smith]

they are pretty difficult to keep alive though.best to get ebjd approx 3 inches or so.they are a strange fish in that they can die for no apparent reason.if you are a new fish keeper,you'll have a few mishaps along the way as everyone does,but,as ebjd are so expensive,maybe get some hardier cichlids to begin with.

I have had an Oscar for about two months that is doing great. You are correct about the price of EBJDs being prohibitive. The ones I saw at the store were about the size of a medium guppy, with a price of $39.00. I was told that the care level for an EBJD is about the same care level required for an Oscar. I definitely do not want to sink that much money into a fish if it is going to die on me. (I am pretty sure the fish would not be to happy about the prospect either.) I can get a juvenile regular Jack Dempsey for $5.99. I read that Jack Dempseys, when kept alone, are much like Oscars. I might just buy a regular Jack Dempsey and keep it as a special pet much like my Oscar. Your post has given me reason to pause before I jump into buying these fish, although I think they are the most awsome looking freshwater fish (including Discus) that I have seen.

 

[Nevergone815]

they are pretty difficult to keep alive though.best to get ebjd approx 3 inches or so.they are a strange fish in that they can die for no apparent reason.if you are a new fish keeper,you'll have a few mishaps along the way as everyone does,but,as ebjd are so expensive,maybe get some hardier cichlids to begin with.

I have had an Oscar for about two months that is doing great. You are correct about the price of EBJDs being prohibitive. The ones I saw at the store were about the size of a medium guppy, with a price of $39.00. I was told that the care level for an EBJD is about the same care level required for an Oscar. I definitely do not want to sink that much money into a fish if it is going to die on me. (I am pretty sure the fish would not be to happy about the prospect either.) I can get a juvenile regular Jack Dempsey for $5.99. I read that Jack Dempseys, when kept alone, are much like Oscars. I might just buy a regular Jack Dempsey and keep it as a special pet much like my Oscar. Your post has given me reason to pause before I jump into buying these fish, although I think they are the most awsome looking freshwater fish (including Discus) that I have seen.

EBJDs are incredible fish, but part of the reason that they are so easily killed in home aquaria is that they inherit pretty much everything bad in the JD species. They don't occur in the wild and were discovered recently when someone actually let these "weak, blue" offspring from a JD spawn growout. In nature they are all the negative genese in the JD liek I said. Think about it... thye are less hardy, in nature they would die off. They are tons less aggressive and would easily be outcompeted by regular JDs. their colors aren't exactly the best camoflaugefor their natural environment, etc, etc. I don't know how much is concrete fact, but that's jsut what I put 2 and 2 together on. My opinion, do as you said and get a reg JD. You will find them jsut as beautiful and a lot easier on your stress levels and your wallet. I love mine to peices and want ot get into EBJDs, but even I'm not 100% sure I can keep one alive long, and I have tons of cichlids right now, and loads of first hand experiences. I'm sure others will agree with me. I hope that helped a bit

Edit: Just wanted to point out, that if an EBD lives to adulthood of say 8" (especially if a male) the price jumps considerably to around $300. Sure that sounds appealing to buy and raise up and cash in, but that jump alone shows how difficult it is to raise them up that far. How many of them died along the way to get that one. Like I said I want one, but only when I know for a fact that I can keep one alive... I might try it after my 30 gallon growout is free. Then add it to a 75 gallon with a female reg JD... who knows.

 

[t1tanrush]

Also, if you hope to breed you need a regular JD aswell. EBJD X JD, then cross offspring back to the EBJD, get a few of each and let them pair off. Get rid of the extras and keep a pair..