Just Bought An Electric Jack Dempsey

[fishykisses]

I got him today and he's really small - maybe an inch. I have him in a 10G just for a little while, maybe a couple months, then he's going into my 55G. I've done some research that says the electrics aren't as aggressive which i like a lot. I'm planning on getting an oscar as a tankmate.
I'm feeding him flakes and blood worms - i have shrimp pellets...will he eat them as well? I'm not overfeeding because i don't want him to outgrow the tank too quickly. I have betta fry that need to stay in there for a bit longer.
Are there other foods for an electic JD that you recommend?

 

[ARXC08]

You'll need to move the Jack Dempsey very soon because they grow very fast. Also you can't have any oscar as a tankmate because that would definately overcrowd the tank. I think you should get the betta fry outta there cuz they will proably be eaten. Try feeding him cichlid pellets?

 

[fishykisses]

they're not together
fry in one tank JD in the other

 

[yvez9]

get at least a 100 gallon if you want to keep Jack with Oscar....

oscars are so messy, we have one in a 90 gallon tank and he makes a huge mess when he eats... adding a JD in there would be terrible.

either form a pair, or keep him alone in the 55

 

[fishykisses]

i think i'll keep him alone in the 55 - the electrics are sooo expensive - i wouldn't be able to buy a bunch to see if they would pair off. I got him boxing day at 50% off - that's the only way i could afford him.
Regular price $50.00

 

[juanveldez]

you want the plain truth. imo you just wasted your money.

for one, they have been sooooo line bred that their ammune system is substanually weaker than a normal JDs. so unless your water is ABSOLUTLY perfect I am talking that you could keep discus in this water it isn't a good idea.

though it has been found that with a high level of large water changes 40-50% every 2-3 days and keeping the temp around 82F that not only do they seem to do better they also seem to thrive. but there is a kick to that the higher temp will help to accelerate the growth of the fish. by increasing their motabolism it will have to eat more and as a result will grow faster.

but like I said I have just heard too many horror stories about these fish and here in the US the top ones go for about 10 USD an inch. and imo would be akin to me taking all of my money and setting a match to it cause it would end just the same.