jack Dempsy

[chrisfagan16]

Hi i just bought tday 3 Jack Dempsy's and was wondering if any1 could give me some advice on them? thanks chris.

 

[JeremyD]

Probably have more luck asking on the CA/SA board....

 

[chrisfagan16]

were's that?

 

[vantgE]

That is right below here, goodluck JD's are considered New World and not african

 

[semper fi]

i moved this to the new world out of the africans.

scientific name: nandopsis octofasciatum

trade name: jack dempsey

average adult size 8"

ph: 6.5 - 7.5

temp: 72-77 degrees

origin: central america

the jack dempsey is one of the more aggressive and medium sized cichlid. they like to establish territories where they have shelter such as rocks or bogwood. they can be fed pellets, bloodworms, brine shrimp etc. classified as an omnivore they will also enjoy munching on plants.

like most of the cichlids they like to dig. gravel or small stones work best as they are prolific in their digging. the only true way to sex between the species is to vent the fish. females tend to be smaller than males and the dorsal fin is rounder than the males. the males being pointed. they are egg layers, seeking out a smooth surface to lay the eggs on. once the fry have hatched the female will her the fry into a pit dug into the substrate. the fry are kept in the pit with the female guarding her young.

jack dempseys should be kept with fish of equal temperament. anything that can fit into their mouths will be eaten as true with most of the new world cichlids. a full grown dempsey by itself will need atleast 55 gallons of water to feel comfortable. water changes need to be done on a weekly if not biweekly basis as they are messy eaters. target fish are also suggested with dempseys.

what are you keeping them in with? and how big is your tank?

 

[impur]

Good info


JD's are great fish, very beautiful IMO. They actually aren't as aggressive as most of the info indicates due to imbreeding. My female JD is scared of my giant danios if that tells you anything. And she is 7" vs 2" danios.

 

[Silva_Fishy]

i went to the lfs today and they got two JDs, theyre awsome! How big are urs, the ones i saw were small, about 3½"

Awsome fish, i love the speckels

 

[bigphesta]

are two JD's in one 30 gal tank too much?

 

[impur]

30 gal is too small for 1 JD, let alone 2. 55 gal is pretty much the minimum size for a JD IMO. They are relatively slow growers so you could get by for a few months, but you should have a larger tank ready or on its way.

 

[blakwidoe]

<<----------------- my JD

 

[blakwidoe]

<<----------------- my JD