Jack Dempsey Issue

[foley69]

now my JD is getting bigger he is also getting badder and he is beating on my threadfin acara and my salvini i am thinking of taking them to an LFS and thinking of gettin some dither fish instead or would this be a bad idea if not what would be ideal dithers for my 55gal

 

[minxfishy]

If your having territorial issues, which is normal considering the fish you have, you could try a complete tank makeover 1st before re-homing. Take all the fish out, put them in seperate buckets, then re-arrange the tank completely, making several different area, each broken up by wood, plants etc, then put the least aggressive fish back in, allow them some time to get used to the tank, before adding the JD back again. It might help, probably not for long though, but worth a shot.

Or if you do decide to take back the sal and acara, dithers would include some fast moving tetras (larger tetras), giant danios possibly or some silver dollars (Be aware that SD's grow very large and need to be in groups) so maybe not the best choice for a 55g.

 

[markandhisfish]

its surprising just how much difference a re-scape makes. my blue acara has been getting a bit territorial/aggro . i decided i didnt like the tank how it was changed it all around and touch wood he seenms to have mellowed out a bit since

altho having said that jack dempseys are named after the boxer for good reason

 

[foley69]

i have tried the re-scaping method made no difference i dont like seeing my threadfin gettin beat up or my sal and i dont think SD's would be good in a 55 i was thinking more giant danios or boesmani these will be too fast for my JD to get

 

[minxfishy]

Go for the giant danios then, whilst boes are quite fast, they are not the sharpest tool in the box Also they slow as they get larger (can reach 5/6"), so he may be able to get them if he takes a dislike to them.

 

[foley69]

yea al go for the danios how many would you say 6 ??

 

[minxfishy]

As large as group as you can fit in.

 

[england]

This is usual behavoiur, you will probally find the salvini will do the same once it matures, mine used to attack everything in the tank and its only 5inches,,,attacked my 14inch tinfoils/11+inch oscars etc,,its waiting to go to angelmouse another member on here

 

[foley69]

ah well gotta love em also i have another issue when i am selling my convicts i really dont want to get rid of my male he is a stunna so i was thinking of putting him in with jd tank as i have rehomed the threadfin today i also have a smaller convict in put my mate wants her so would this be ok ?

 

[england]

it should be ok as these are all aggressive cichlids so even out with tempers but......a big but as you know cichlids are indeed ones who decide wether or not they like there tank mates not us.......so its a case of trial and error.......This is were cichlids get there bad reputation,,,but if you persist and have a willing local fish shop who will change or take things of your hands then your on to a winner..... failing that have a few back up tanks

 

[foley69]

well i have a lfs that will take my fish and swap them also i have a nice coupel of tanks spare as well so as you say its trial and error situation so i will give it a go they are both around the same size so just see what happens

 

[england]

yep give it a go....what id be inclined to do is remove the fish from tank, totally transform tank, leave a while then float both bags, release the con first, give it about 30mins then release the dempsey,,,,they probally will for a while sqaure off at each other, maybe even scrap a bit, but hold of for a while, best to do this first thing in the morning, that way you have all day to watch the true colours show

 

[foley69]

yea sounds like a good idea well i am gonna get some rocks to build another cave in as well as the jd will get too big for thew ship wreck so hopefully the con will have that and the jd will have the cave... i couldnt let my male con goi love him he is top i rwally hope they can live along side 2 of my fav cichlids in the same tank

 

[england]

yes i had to give my brutis<male jag away>that was hard but was for the best

 

[foley69]

that is a big shame i would of had him if i had big enough tank but jack dempseys are my 2nd fav cichlid i will own a jag one day and when i do i will get some pics on here