Jack Dempsey Question

[canyon_rayne]

I am interested in getting a Jack Dempsey. When I asked the lady at the Pet Store what size tank they should be in MINIMAL, she told me a 20 gallon for just one. I've seen these fish get pretty big though and that seems pretty small for one. What would ya'll say?

 

[FishNiX]

As far as i know, they get to around 10"...so I would say 50 gallons?

cheers!

 

[juanveldez]

yes JDs get big they grow an average of about 8 inches but it is not unusual to see some bigger than that but like I said the average is 8 inches and for a full grown JD a 55 gallon tank is best because then you could get away with getting a pair of them.

 

[phoenix]

The bare minimum for 1 is around 45 gallons id go with a larger tank if at all possible to give it more room and you some space to get another fish in the tank

 

[canyon_rayne]

That's what I was kind of thinking as well.

 

[missyintx_99]

I am sooooo glad you asked here first before trying to keep a JD in a 20g tank and wondering down the road whats wrong with a then stunted fish!
Kudos to you!
As said, a minimum of 55g is what I would recommend. As with all cichlids, they are very territorial and will need their space and if you want to have any tankmates, you'll need to consider that up front too and add both fish at the same time. If they are raised together you stand a better chance of them getting along when they get bigger.

 

[Montana Cichlid]

I have what is probably the largest (& most colorful) Jack Dempsey I have seen in ten years of aquaria keeping. I bought a thirty gallon tank that he was in along w/ a Johanni mbuna. I really just wanted the aquarium & ended up inheriting the fish. I have had them for two years now and have no problems keeping them in the thirty gallon, although I wish I had more room for a 55 for him. To help make more room for him we only have 1 fake plant, & 1 rock for the mbuna to hide under. if you are only keeping 1 Jack then you can probably get away w/ a 30 gal., but like me you will probably want a bigger one.

 

[LoveMyOscar]