Jds Or Firemouths: Which Do I Part With?

[This Younger Spouse]

Hey all:

I've gotten back into tropicals after a 25-year hiatus.

So I have a long 20-gallon and wanted some cichlids. I ended up with two Jack Demseys (one quite dark and one much more pale, so perhaps both sexes represented) and two Firemouths. I know, I know. This is at least two too many cichlids for this tank size. I also am just now adding a Bristlenose Pleco and a cool Synodontis Catfish, both 3-4 inches long.

My intent at this point is to find a new home for the Firemouths and hold on to the pair of JDs. When the JDs start outgrowing this tank, I'll pick up a 55-gallon setup. I have since read up fairly thoroughly on these two cichlids, and have provided them a cichlid-friendly environment.

I'd appreciate your thoughts on the matter of which to keep.

Thanks in advance for looking and commenting!

 

[This Old Spouse]

Do you know if the firemouths are one of each sex?

 

[ChilliPepper]

Well personally I wouldn't keep either in a 20 gallon long. I'd get the 55g now and keep the two Jacks, your BN and your Syn. You can then add some other fish.

20g is really far too small for 4 cichlids, so you need to decide which you like best and pronto

 

[This Younger Spouse]

Do you know if the firemouths are one of each sex?

That one I don't know. I've been reading that the sexes are hard to tell apart by visual clues. In a tank this small, I doubt they'll pair off and begin the mating process even if they are male and female, so I'm at a loss on sexing them.

Well personally I wouldn't keep either in a 20 gallon long. I'd get the 55g now and keep the two Jacks, your BN and your Syn. You can then add some other fish. 20g is really far too small for 4 cichlids, so you need to decide which you like best and pronto

Yep, keeping the JDs is what I'd mentioned in the OP that I'd prefer, with the Bristlenose and Pleco as cleanup artists. A 55 isn't in the budget just now, though I believe I can round one up eventually.

Thanks for the feedback so far, folks.

 

[karin]

Since you haven't been in the hobby for a while you might get ready to think a bit differently. Just like with other pets, there is much more thought given to the fishes' habitat, feed, and water conditions than 25 years ago. We have learned a lot more and I think the ethics have changed. Like with dogs, we care about their wellbeing much more, make them much more part of the family, spend lots more on good quality food, and are conscientious about the different breeds and their requirements for exercise and mental stimulation, etc.

So that being said, you will find that most people argue for more room for fish, biotope aquascaping and thoughtfulness about researching fish to find the ideal fish for your tank and your water chemistry. Breeding pairs of cichlids need their own tanks or close to it, or very large tanks. Cichlids are territorial and defensive. It is generally thought that a pair of firemouths require a minimum of a 30 gallon tank and if they are breeding, there is not much else that can go in that tank safely. The JDs, a breeding pair needs a 55 gallon minimum.

 

[This Younger Spouse]

I'm good with all that, Karin. It's interesting how things change over time. There's no doubt I should have done more research before buying the cichlids. Now that I'm where I am, I need to find new homes for the Firemouths (I can bring them back to the LFS for credit on later purchases), and will begin the search for a 55. While it's not in the budget, I may be able to round up a used one fairly soon.

 

[GShorty1981]

imo a 55 is to small for a pair of Jacks that can hit a very chunky 10-12"

 

[holidayinn]

None of the fish are really suitable for a 20g, could try a convict species such as Sajica, Cutteri which might be better long-term.

JD's definitely would need a bigger tank, but personally would prefer to keep these rather then firemouths, but looking at 55g/75g minimum.

 

[This Younger Spouse]

Well, that was fast. Put out a call for a 55 setup on a local e-mail "free" net, and got a reply in an hour. A woman nearby is selling a 55 w/hood and light and a 28 w/hood and light, and only $25 for both. We've gotten fishy bits from this person before, including a couple smaller aquariums, and it's always been good stuff. We'll check carefully for any cracks or significant corner chips, but if all goes well will have them by later this afternoon.

Now my spouse and I will have dueling 55s.

 

[This Old Spouse]

 

[AmazonFTW]

Wow, great price for a 55, wish I could get one that cheap.

It depends on the tank depth but I reckon, if the JDs get on with each other they should be OK.

 

[minnnt]

Personally i would have gone with the Firemouths due to them being smaller fish when fully grown they will have more space in the tank you mentioned as imo a 55 is a bit small for a pair of JD's. The hard part is finding a pairing!

 

[This Younger Spouse]

Looks like the new tank is a 46 gallon. Same length as my wife's 55, but an inch shorter top-to-bottom and an inch thinner front-to-back. Since she is planning on completely relandscaping her 55, she's going to adopt the 46 and give me the 55 for the JDs.

She's a good bloke, my wife.

The 46 is cleaned out and is sitting in the garden shed full of water for a 24-hour leak test period. The joints look unblemished, so we're optimistic it'll be fine.

It appears both JDs are males, and the Firemouths are as well. Definitely going to get the less spectacular JD and both Firemouths out of there within about 2 weeks, and will either leave it with the gorgeous JD, the BN Pleco and the Cat, or will search for a female JD to add.

 

[Proxo]

Personally i would have gone with the Firemouths due to them being smaller fish when fully grown they will have more space in the tank you mentioned as imo a 55 is a bit small for a pair of JD's. The hard part is finding a pairing!

Agree. Even if they're a pair it can still get a little nasty at times, i've got a pair (actually a breeding trio) of green terror in a 55g and even they fight sometimes. They're only small though & have enough room each.

I'm not sure on the growth speed of JDs but i'd say if it was slow a pair would be okay in a 55g but i'd have a back up plan ready for when they get bigger.

 

[This Younger Spouse]

I'm not sure on the growth speed of JDs but i'd say if it was slow a pair would be okay in a 55g but i'd have a back up plan ready for when they get bigger.

My backup plan is to buy a 90 gallon when the JDs get too big for the 55, and then to turn the 55 into a saltwater aquarium. I had a 55 saltwater many years ago and loved it. But the expense! And don't tell my wife! Uh, wait a minute, I think she's a member here.