new dempsey

[cuba408]

I have to say that these fish are the best!! I just bought one yesterday and put him in a small 10 gallin tank while my 50 gallon tank cycles. He is only 1 3/4 inches and he is crazy hahahahha i HAD 3 goldfish in there with him and he ate all there eyes out!! All 3 i was completely amazed on how aggressive they really are. But cant wait to watch it growup

How big can they get if they are in a 50 gallion tank?

 

[juanveldez]

he will eventually reach a size of betwee 8-10 inches. and swollow the goldfish whole.

 

[freddyk]

Ha ha, they didn't name them after a pro boxer for nothing!

A single specimen properly kept could live it's potential life 10-15 years and reach 10-12" (smaller for female) in that tank, though a four footer is ideal at some point.

 

[cuba408]

serious Is certain fish better for him? can he eat regular goldfish? or should i feed him a particular fish when he gets bigger?

 

[cuba408]

basically what i was asking is it bad for them to eat certain fish?

 

[freddyk]

The only fish bad for them is unhealthy fish - just be careful of the source you get them from. Keep in mind that while they are fun treats, they are not really piscavores and it should just be exactly that, a treat.

 

[cuba408]

last night i notice that the dempsey is friends with the three tetras i have in the little tank. Maybe cause he knows he cant catch them but as soon as i throw in a goldfish out comes the eyes, hell chase them all around the tank but the tetras can swim next under him and he doesnt mind hahah just thought that was funny

 

[cuba408]

I LOVE MY DEMPSEY HOW MANY SHOULD I RAISE IN A 50 GALLON TANK, WITH PLANS ON HAVING A 80 GALLON OR BIGGER.

 

[cuba408]

??

 

[spAcE mOnkEy]

You could actually breed them if you want, that probably would be the best thing to do if you wanted to keep more then one. And i heard 55 gal minimum for a breeding pair, but if you have a 4 ft tank thats 50 gallons you could probably still do a pair but im not too sure. The way to form a pair is to buy maybe like 4 juvi's and see who pairs up. Then, once a pair is formed, you get rid of the others.

 

[digital_run]

Somehow this thread reminds me of an old guy watching dogs fighting "kill em, kill em...thats a good boy, you killed him good"

Ðigital_run

 

[pica_nuttalli]

Somehow this thread reminds me of an old guy watching dogs fighting "kill em, kill em...thats a good boy, you killed him good"

*snicker*

 

[cuba408]

I dont understand how this dempsey be so nice with the tetras but as soon as a goldfish goes in the tank he doesnt stop chasing and biting him till hes dead. Then even after he continues to play soccer with it. hahahah But with the tetra he doesnt react to them at all they swim right next to him sometimes.

 

[spAcE mOnkEy]

its because the tetras are too small and fast to seem like a threat to the dempsey, the tetras are probably good dither fish.

 

[digital_run]

but as soon as a goldfish goes in the tank he doesnt stop chasing and biting him till hes dead. Then even after he continues to play soccer with it. hahahah

And i rest my case... I wouldn't get too attached to your tetras....I wonder what happens after the novelty wears off.

Ðigital