Jack Dempsey

[Barracuda518]

I have an empty 55 US gallon tank. Im thinking of getting a Jack Dempsey for it. I saw the fish profile already, but still had some questions. Ive read on the internet that a 45 gallon tank is acceptable for these fish. Is this true?

Also, I would like to get a pair, male and female, and I have read that it can be difficult to tell the difference. Also, I plan on keeping just the JD's in the tank. Im also looking for ideas on the set-up of the tank.

Thanks in advance

 

[Gatorbait]

My personal opinion is that a 45g is too small for a pair.

 

[ox5477]

Finally! Someone else wanting to know about JD's. I agree that for a pair, 45G is too small, for a pair I would say atleast 65 but upwards of 80 to 90G would prob optimum. This is when they are by themselves as well. They arn't near as protective as other species such as convicts but they will still corral the rest of your stocking into the corner of your tank and make it hell if they come out of that corner.

It is a little tough to tell the sexes apart. It's almost impossible when juveniles but by the time they get to around 3 to 4 inches, or around 5 or 6 monthes old, they will begin to take on the characteristics of their sex. Males will have long pointed dorsel and abominal fins like other cichlids while the females will be more rounded towards the tips. The best way that you can tell JD's apart IMO is looking at their gill plates. Males will have very little to no color spots while the females will be covered like the rest of her body.

The best way to get a pair is to buy 6 or so and let them pair off on their own. When you see two of them spendiing most of their time together, it is most likely that a bond has formed and could possibly grow into a mate. Remove the others JD's at that point and watch them carefully, once the female has layed eggs and you see both of them fanning the eggs then you know he has fertilized them and you have a breeding pair!

But still be wary.... yes if they mate they will most likely live fine with eachother for the rest of their lives.... but if they havent mated yet and even if they have, they can still turn around and get a hair up their butt one day. This happens with all cichlids where one day they are fine and the next day one of the fish can be at the top floating being had been killed by the other. So always be prepared with an additional tank or a lfs that will take one back on short notice.

Any other ?'s you have i would be happy to answer

EDIT: spelling, grammar

 

[Barracuda518]

Thanks for the reply. First off, the fish will be going in a 55 gallon and will be the only fish in the tank. I mentioned the 45 gallon, because that was the most common size mentioned on the interent.

I was thinking of a breeding pair, but my first intention was to get the one. I have always liked JD's and will probably try them out. I dont know much Cichlids , but I would like to try them out.

I have read about looking at the gill plates to tell them apart. Like I said, Im not too concerned right now with the pair, but would definately like to get the one. What are you feeding yours?

 

[PoPoV]

Thanks for the reply. First off, the fish will be going in a 55 gallon and will be the only fish in the tank. I mentioned the 45 gallon, because that was the most common size mentioned on the interent.

I was thinking of a breeding pair, but my first intention was to get the one. I have always liked JD's and will probably try them out. I dont know much Cichlids , but I would like to try them out.

I have read about looking at the gill plates to tell them apart. Like I said, Im not too concerned right now with the pair, but would definately like to get the one. What are you feeding yours?

I dont have a dempsey but i have a green terror. Somewhat similar as far as their eating habbits Blood Worms, Tubefex worms, Peas, cucumber, somtimes flake food if he's in the mood, cichlid floating pellets, mostly Sword Tail and guppie Fry.

 

[ox5477]

I realized you have a 55G but I still feel thats a little too cramped for a breeding pair. If you want to go with a pair then I recommend getting them together a young age, don't get one and then hope to mate it later, because the chances of you picking the right fish is very slim and most likely they will just fight and not get along. But it's still fine to have the lone JD. You could a convict or a firemouth in there with him/her no problem. Would make for a nice little cichlid tank too. I have never heard of anybody trying this combo yet but I am moving my dempsey to my 55G and gonna have him in with giant danios. I'm hoping that the eight of them will divide up the aggression from the JD and they will be too fast for him to catch. So.... look for future updates for these as possible tank mates.

I feed my guy very basic things. He gets cichlid pellets most of the time, with peas once or twice a week to keep his digestive track healthy. He also will nibble on the algae wafers I put in for the pleco.

 

[vancouver]

I don't think 55g is too small for a pair..

but if it's the only tank you have.. what are you going to do with fry?

 

[Barracuda518]

I realized you have a 55G but I still feel thats a little too cramped for a breeding pair. If you want to go with a pair then I recommend getting them together a young age, don't get one and then hope to mate it later, because the chances of you picking the right fish is very slim and most likely they will just fight and not get along. But it's still fine to have the lone JD. You could a convict or a firemouth in there with him/her no problem. Would make for a nice little cichlid tank too. I have never heard of anybody trying this combo yet but I am moving my dempsey to my 55G and gonna have him in with giant danios. I'm hoping that the eight of them will divide up the aggression from the JD and they will be too fast for him to catch. So.... look for future updates for these as possible tank mates.

I feed my guy very basic things. He gets cichlid pellets most of the time, with peas once or twice a week to keep his digestive track healthy. He also will nibble on the algae wafers I put in for the pleco.

I dont know what Im going to do yet. I have not decided if I want to devote a whole 55 gallon to just one fish either. What kind of pleco do you have in with the JD?

I don't think 55g is too small for a pair..

but if it's the only tank you have.. what are you going to do with fry?

Its not the only tank I have. I have an empty 55 gallon, 30 gallon, and 3 10 gallons. I have 4 other tanks that are filled with cories that I will need to move around too. This is another problem I have...

 

[ox5477]

I have a chocolate albino common with him right now, and I'll prob just move the pleco over with him. The pleco will eventually get quite huge so in a year prob I'll need to think about whether I get a bigger tank or take him back to the lfs. I'm sure any species of leco will do fine though. As long as its not a baby with a 3 or 4 inch fish as the JD may see this as food. Try to keep them about the same length if possible.

Like I said, you don't need to devote the whole tank to the JD. You can put a convict and a firemouth in with it, or some medium sized schooling fish like I'm trying with the Giant Danios.