Jack Dempsy Stock

[Squid31]

Hi everyone and thanks for reading!
 
I've always really wanted a Dempsy and I've did my reading up on them but Id like to hear from you guys. My dad had one when he was younger in a 30 gallon that did fine with a couple other fish, ive read a single jack dempsy can be in at least a 30 gallon. So i'm asking this, I have a 40 gallon tank 36Lx18Wx16H. Could that hold a single Jack Dempsy and maybe 3-4 silver dollars comfortably? with the degree set in the tank from 74-76 degrees F.

 

[fm1978]

That tank's a wee bit small for a JD, I'm afraid. A 4 foot tank would be an absolute minimum, 5 foot would be better. JDs can get to about 8inches, a bit more if the conditions are bang on so you'd really be looking at maybe 200L tank just to begin with - 55ish gal in american money.


The temps you mention are within their range and I imagine the silver dollars would be fine with a JD...perhaps someone else can confirm!

 

[BerryAttack]

i would say that it would be best to have minimum of 50+ gallons for one jack dempsy... they are very aggressive fish. and grow to around 10 inches
i don't know anything about silver dollars so i can't say if it would get along well or not
in the first year the cichlid will be tame, but after the aggression will increase dramatically.

 

[wrightt3]

Generally for cichlids, the tank should be 4 times as long and around about 2 times as wide as the fish at an absolute bare minimum. 5-6 times as long is much better though.
I'd say that a tank with base dimensions of 40x16inches should be the lowest size considered for a Jack Dempsey.
 
Plus, you already have your RTS, gourami and bristlenose in that tank. What happened to your original stocking plan?

 

[FlyingSquid]

Yes, I have had my JD for almost two years and has grown at a rate of about 3.5 inches a year. I would highly recommend a larger aquarium, unless you plan on purchasing a juvenile JD, but I still would recommend at least a 50 gallon aqaurium because this fish can grow at an extremely rapid pace.

My JD is quite the character and in the past has gotten along with BR Parrots as well as a Female Green Terror. Strangely my JD attempted to spawn with my Green Terror. Anyway great fish, and seems to recognize it's owner and will happily greet you whenever you walk by your aquarium.

 

[Squid31]

Generally for cichlids, the tank should be 4 times as long and around about 2 times as wide as the fish at an absolute bare minimum. 5-6 times as long is much better though.
I'd say that a tank with base dimensions of 40x16inches should be the lowest size considered for a Jack Dempsey.
 
Plus, you already have your RTS, gourami and bristlenose in that tank. What happened to your original stocking plan?

Thanks and I have 2 tanks the other one is empty in the garage. I was going to set it up in the living room, was seeing if it could hold a dempsy.

 

[biggerfish]

yeah your tanks to small for a jd but you could put a breeding pair of convicts in it, just an idea.

 

[wrightt3]

yeah your tanks to small for a jd but you could put a breeding pair of convicts in it, just an idea.

If he has something to do with all the fry that is

 

[biggerfish]

sell em lol or give em away, or release into the local water ways and watch the effects... yeahhhhh probably shouldn't do that last one.