Jack Dempsey Please Help

[JackDemp528]

My 5 year old 9" Jack Dempsey has seemed down in the dumps lately. The water is fine, everything is safe, the Ph, Nitrite, Nitrate, and Ammonia are normal. About a week ago I fed him some frozen brine shrimp which he normally likes, well he ate them but later he was shaking his head funny. So I thought maybe he had a shrimp stuck in his back teeth, where he grinds up his food. But since then he no longer comes up to the surface for food, but waits until it falls to the bottom and until I leave to eat it. He's also hiding a lot and showing his bars. And the temp is at a comfortable 78 degrees. I don't know what to do to get back my old eager to eat boy. But I feel terrible for him, and I'm hoping he will be back to himself soon.

 

[Kajuki18]

What size tank is he in and does he have any tankmakes?

 

[juanveldez]

gotta be careful about adding tank mates with an older jd. just a suggestion but why don't you try a couple water changes out of the blue. that should help jump start him. the other part of it is have you changed the lay out of his tank or tank decos?

 

[JackDemp528]

I would never put any tank mates in with him. And he's in a 35 gallon that came with him when I got him from excessive on here. He'll eventually get the 55 when the goldies go outside. I'll try some water changes. And this morning he took the pellet but spit it out. So I'm going to go buy him new food, of a different kind to see if he'll eat that, and maybe I'll get him some earthworms today too.

 

[pirahna590]

I would never put any tank mates in with him. And he's in a 35 gallon that came with him when I got him from excessive on here. He'll eventually get the 55 when the goldies go outside. I'll try some water changes. And this morning he took the pellet but spit it out. So I'm going to go buy him new food, of a different kind to see if he'll eat that, and maybe I'll get him some earthworms today too.

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Sounds like he might ( and I say MIGHT ) be a little ill... does he have excess body slime coat, or shortnes there of? Any sign of any sickness at all? are his fins erect or layed down?
If not, remember that jacks have personality just like you or I and he may just be bummed out over a change either in his tank ( water chemistry you said was good ) wich could be re-decorating of his tank, or something often over looked is change outside of the tank. Solitary tropical fish responf to changes of the enviroment outside the tnak just as much as indise the tank, as long as that change is with in view of them... Did you move any furniture around in the room he is in? Just a thought

 

[JackDemp528]

His fins are erect, and he's swimming around more, but I haven't changed anything. I wish he wouldn't be so bummed, he won't even come to the top for me anymore. I'm doing a water change soon, then maybe he'll be feeling better. And as for the slime coat, sometimes it seems like he gets sand stuck on his slime coat but then it sheds off. I don't know if that's normal or not.

 

[Griz]

I had a JD many years ago that used to really enjoy playing with a small plastic floating ball. Hey, it's worth a shot. Water changes and a food treat as suggested, are a good idea too. Good luck.

 

[JackDemp528]

I have a toy in there and he first tried to eat it, and is now afraid of it... he's so picky!

 

[juanveldez]

lol my JD has a ping pong ball in his tank at first he would push it in and out of his flower pot but now he just leaves it alone. as for the tank size when I first got my JD he was about 6.5-7" and I had him in a 29 till I too could get the current tenents of the 55 out. and he did alot of the same thing just hanging out on the bottom never really moving around alot. even though the 55 is divided( more for the safety of both fish) he is very very active

 

[JackDemp528]

Update: He's finally eaten, it was a worm, and he waited until I left so he could eat it. But atleasthe ate something! But he's still not himself, sitting on the bottom, sulking.

 

[JackDemp528]

Well at about 3 am this morning I heard this huge crash that sounded like something hitting my fish tank lid. Well I jumped out of bed and looked to see Apollo floating kind of sideways at the top. He must have jumped up and hit the lid. So I was like he really must be dying now... So I watched him for a second, and he swam to the bottom and layed there. Then this morning I got up and walked ot the tank and he happily swam over to the top and smacked his lips at the water surface when I opened the lid. And then finally ate his pellets for me. I'm so proud of him now for getting over whatever his problem was. Maybe him hitting his head on the inside of the lid knocked some sense into him! But he's back to normal now.

 

[Griz]

Good to hear he's doing better. I had my JD for many years and became quite attached to him too.

 

[Angel Lady]

I am glad he is doing better. I love them kind of fish they are so cool..

 

[JackDemp528]

He's just a bit more shy than normal. But atleast he's eating, that's all I wanted.