Jack Dempsey

[mathman]

I have had this Jack Dempsey for about 4 months. It was about 1.5 inches when we got him. He is now a bit over 3 inches long. I have never seen a fish grow this fast. He is fairly docile but eats two of the Tetra JumboMin Food sticks per feeding. I am concerned that I am over feeding the fish but he will devour two of them in short order, (30 seconds or so), so I think the other fish will starve if I feed them less. I feed 4 sticks in the morning and 2 cubes of tubiflex in the evening. The tank occupancy is in my signature (23gal) plus a red fin shark,(minnow), minus one gourami, ( they starved/ harrassed him to death) and the Jack of course has grown. Reminding self to update signature
This tank was inherrited from a friend that was moving a long distance and did not want to chance killing the fish. She had gotten in a depression and forgotten to feed the fish for a week or more at a time, so I took them. They are my first larger fish and I really don't know how much to feed them.

If you can point me in the right dirrection i would be gratefulll.
Rob

 

[blue_ram]

No, I don't think you're overfeeding them. Remember, big fish grow very quickly. It's not too uncommon for big fish like oscar to grown 6-10" in about 12 mos. Jacks grow "only" to about 8", but I think you may have a problem on your hand.

Male Jack Dempsy are beyond aggressive; they are down right vicious. While back, I was considering Jack for my 55g. But, after talking with a guy who used to keep a Jack with his Piranhas, I changed my mind. Often, Jack would often beat up his piranhas, and when one of Piranhas died from infected wound, he got rid of Jack. Granted, Piranhas aren't vicious, blood-thirsty killers the Hollywood likes to portray, but they DO have a set of very sharp teeth that can be used for defense.

I thought, his Jack was an exception to the rule, but after doing some research, I found out why the fish was named after a boxer known for savage boxing style. Once a male Jack establishes his territory, any fish that enters it gets chased away. Unfortunately, in a small tank (< 100g), where there aren't much place the fish could run (swim?) to, death is usually the outcome.

You could also be lucky. Since they were grown up togather, Jack may be more tolerant of the tank mates. Also, your Jack could be a female. In any case, once Jack establishes his/her territory, it's wise to not to any new fish until the Jack dies.

 

[mwm]

I disagree, i keep 2 jack dempseys in a 55g and they are a pair. Mine arnt down right mean and they live with a 7" pleco, ya they nip at him sometimes but you making them sound like a midas or something..

 

[fufanu360]

ya... theyre really not that bad, thats why people keep them with oscars

 

[juanveldez]

almost all medium to large cichlids JDs belonging to the medium class of cichlid will grow rapidly to about the 6 inch mark and then you will notice a reduction in growth rate. most keepers consider a cichlid that grows between 3/4-1 inch per month a VERY Very healthy fish but realistically I look to about 1/2-3/4 of an inch to be much more realistic. when I bought my jags in july they were about an inch and a half today they are knocking on the 6 inch mark, the important thing to remember is a well rounded diet, a staple pellet with at least 40% crude protein, frozen shrimp tails cut up, beef heart, and blood worms are all things that I feed my JD. and for that matter all of my fish.

 

[mwm]

Yah good adive Juan. I feed mine prawns, blood worms, freeze dried tubex/brine shrimp, pellets and on the od occasion earth worms. They go nuts for everything except pellets

 

[mathman]

Thanks for all the info. I think he, will call it a him to save time, will be ok with them. The Balla is by far the most aggressive in the tank at this time but is taking much less interest in chasing Jack. Wonder why. LOL. Anyway he does set the others to run once in a while but only as far as half the tank. Hope it stays that way.
I have been hoping for a 55 gal tank and plan to keep only cichlids in it. With a pleco.... , it is outgrowing the tank he is in. I did research them a bit and found out why JD's are named the way they are. I have always kept mollies and other live bearers but have been having trouble with them, so I decided on larger fish.
If I get my way my house will be wall to wall tanks and maybe turn out to be a fish store since this arean does not have one. The biggest problem is our water seems to be bad for certain types of fish even though it all tests well.
Sorry am rambling as usual,
Thanks again.
Rob