Jds?

[LisaLQ]

Got these two pretty fellas with my parrots as a freebie. I'd like to know what they are before I take them to the LFS (dont think I'm keeping them). When they arrived, they were identical - however the bigger one is now black with very blue spots (and no other colours - just blue), and the littler one is greyish with multi coloured spots. Identical body shapes, not acaras (although the little one looks it in it's pic - it's taken from above - both have the typical big gobs of JDs, and straight body):

Big one (looks lighter in this photo than in real life - think black with blue - not green as it looks in the pic - sparkles):

Little one (very accurate pic - exactly the same as in real life unlike his bro - very different in colour):

I'm fairly certain they're JDs, but the biggest one isn't even 2", and the little one is just over 1", so want to be sure before I rehome them. They eat for England, the bigger one is slightly aggressive with the littler one - but neither is being aggressive with the other fish in there. But they're only little, and if they're JDs I dont think they'd be suitable in the long run for my parrot tank (angels, rainbow cichlids and boesmanni rainbows in there).

Ps. Sorry about the state of the pics, a. my tank glass is filthy and b. they're quick little b*ggers so it took about 20 pics to even get them in shot, in the end I said s*d it, and didn't care if the pics were a bit blurry lol.

 

[SamUK]

got the same markings as a JD but i can see why your having to ask...... theres something not quite right lol.


they look quite african cichlid shaped.


having sed that tho i havent seen a really young JD i dont think.

 

[LisaLQ]

The main thing is the difference in colour. I assume electric blues are much bluer at their size (I know the little one isn't one for sure, but the big one is literally black and blue lol - just mainly black).

They have got quite big tummies, but I fed them peas and they pood ok so I dont think they're constipated. They just eat too damn much LOL.

 

[Nevergone815]

They look like Jack Dempseys to me. I have seen electric blues as juvies and as adults, but never in the transition phases of the "color-up" so i couldn't help you there. my femae JD eats all day if I let her. She has a nice big tummy as well. I think they are just naturally big eaters or something. They look really great.

edit: The top one definately looks older than the bottom one. When my other JD (who passed away in a freak accident invlving a roommate- long story) he was transitioning the same way. He looked exactly liek the bottom one when he passed away. So that much I can say. Anything else... I don't know.

 

[Ferris]

They look like regular JD's to me, the darker of the 2 is probably the dominant one and his/her colours match my male exactly.

 

[-*-MicHAeL-*-]

They look like regular JD's to me, the darker of the 2 is probably the dominant one and his/her colours match my male exactly.

I agree with Ferris

 

[ox5477]

yes, def jd's

 

[england]

yea id go with jds.....shame your too far away id have had them of you

 

[~T~]

Yup JD's and the top one looks female(sucks you live so far away or I would have taken her).

 

[LisaLQ]

How can you tell? I'd love to know, then I could have a proper look and work out what's what

I'm so tempted to keep them (or one) for my 7ft....but I said no more cichlids in with my plecs after the 2" festivums beat the crap out of them (no really, they did - even killed one)

 

[-*-MicHAeL-*-]

I think they are too small to sex. Ways of sexing JD's are that the male has a longer and more pointed dorsal and anal fin, Less spots and colouration on their gill plate and a longer body compared to the female.

 

[ox5477]

How can you tell? I'd love to know, then I could have a proper look and work out what's what

I'm so tempted to keep them (or one) for my 7ft....but I said no more cichlids in with my plecs after the 2" festivums beat the crap out of them (no really, they did - even killed one)

I wouldnt worry about the JD with the plecs. Maybe my guy is just a wouse but if anything he likes my plecs. He loved my albino and would always hang around with him, trying to stay close for companion. Now that I moved him into his big tank with my bigger common, he is doing more of the same and seems to try to befriend the plec rather than hurt it.

 

[LisaLQ]

TBH I think they'll be up for rehoming/going down the LFS when I get the chance. However gorgeous they are, I swore no more cichlids when my plecs were beaten up, and that was by a supposedly peaceful species. I kept an oscar with a gibby once, but I couldn't risk a JD with a £50 royal plec amongst others. I've already lost enough plecs over the last few months, couldn't lose any more now. I'm even worried about putting barbs in with them LOL

It's funny, I have my plecs in with my parrots temporarily (or really that should be the other way around as the plecs were there first - but anyway, they're very peaceful parrots at the moment), but I wont put any in the plecs' new tank when it's set up. It's a shame because it's a big tank too. But nay, it shall be pleccy heaven instead!