Jack Dempsey Not Eating

[Drumtam555]

Hey Guys,
this may not seem to be an emergency, but I need all the help I can get!
I'm having problems with feeding my Jack Dempsey, he never seems to come out of his territory , he is about 6inches, I know that Jack Dempsey's are active, so I don't understand why he never comes out. I've tried everything, cockles, mysis, muscles, cichlid pellets, predator pellets, algae wafers, I do a 20% water change once a week and I check the quality often and there are no bad water qualities. With the 1 Jack Dempsey I have, 1 Synspillum, 3 birchirs, 1 striped dora, bristlenose plec and a royal panaque plec. Somebody please help!!!

Many thanks,
Drumtam555

 

[turtlegirl]

Can you post exact water specs please? How long has the tank been running? Additional info would be great.

 

[Drumtam555]

Can you post exact water specs please? How long has the tank been running? Additional info would be great.

pH levels: 4.5
Ammonia levels: 0
Nitrite: 0.1
Nitrate: 5
(All these levels are the lowest that my test kit reaches, my test kit is a nutrafin essential master test kit)

The tank has been set up for 3 years now, the tank size in inches is 36 Length, 18 height and 15 width, but I am shortly upgrading to a bigger tank size which will be, in inches again, 48 length, 24 height and 15 width, filtration will be a 3ft sump, I will be transferring everything from the 3ft into the 4ft including filter media. I am using an Eheim 250 classic, substrate sand, I have live plants, huge amounts of valis, 1 piece of driftwood and around the wood are pieces of rocking.

Sorry if that is more info than needed, but thought id say just in case!

Many thanks,
Drumtam555

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Contrary to popular belief Jacks are actually quite shy. Try seeing if you can drop some food in his territory. Most jack dempseys won't leave their area.

 

[Drumtam555]

Contrary to popular belief Jacks are actually quite shy. Try seeing if you can drop some food in his territory. Most jack dempseys won't leave their area.

Wow, everywhere I read, they have a reputation for being active! Okay I will give that ago, the only problem is, the birchirs are extremely good at finding there food because of smell, so they always seem to be over there first eating all the food!

Many thanks,
Drumtam555

 

[fishprotector]

Further to above, mine is quite grumpy and reclusive. She didnt used to be, and as a juvenile was very active and would eat anything and everything. Now she will only eat a small number of foods and sticks to her den. I sometimes dont see her eat for days on end but she is doing ok.

 

[Drumtam555]

Further to above, mine is quite grumpy and reclusive. She didnt used to be, and as a juvenile was very active and would eat anything and everything. Now she will only eat a small number of foods and sticks to her den. I sometimes dont see her eat for days on end but she is doing ok.

Mine used to be exactly the same, I guess it's in their nature! What foods do you give yours?

Many thanks,
Drumtam555

 

[fishprotector]

The tank gets prawn, cockle, muscle, squid, bloodworm, prima and veg. She eats bloodworm, prawn and sweetcorn only. Women