Can Jack Dempseys live with other fish?

What is the best tank mate for a Jack Dempsey?

This is an armored catfish and their size is what makes them a good tank mate for the Jack Dempsey. Sometimes they will nip and chase other fish but will keep their peace at most times.

Are Jack Dempsey fish more retiring than Oscar fish?

Returning to the subject of the Jack Dempsey and the Oscar fish, JD’s tend to be more retiring in general, so you can expect to see a great deal more of the Oscar than you do of the JD. This is entirely normal behavior, and it is not a result of the Oscar ‘scaring’ the JD.

What kind of substrate do Jack Dempsey fish like?

Jack Dempsey fish prefer very slow-moving waters, not quite still, but fairly slow-moving, so be careful when placing and choosing a filter and pump, so they don’t create too much of a current in the tank. These fish prefer substrate that is a big murky, sandy, and muddy, combined with some solid substrate, such as gravel and small rocks on top.

Do Jack Dempsey cichlids get along with other fish?

Even though a Jack Dempsey isn’t the easiest fish to get along with, these cichlids can coexist with a variety of tank mates. Just make sure the others are ready to deal with these aggressive fish!

Do Jack Dempsey fish get along with other fish?

Like most cichlids, Jack Dempsey is known for its aggressive nature but can get along with other fish in a well-populated tank. Fishkeepers who want to have a peaceful tank for Jack Dempseys must consider their tank mates very carefully. So, what are the best Jack Dempsey Tank Mates?

How big of a tank does a Jack Dempsey need?

Each Jack Dempsey fish requires roughly 55 gallons of water, so you do need a fairly large tank for these guys. These fish are carnivorous for the most part and prefer meaty foods such as insects, small feeder fish, worms, and crustaceans.

What do Jack Dempsey cichlids eat?

The Jack Dempsey Cichlids are aggressive and territorial fish and they should generally be mixed with other fish that share those same traits. They will eat anything that fits in their mouth, so you must think about the size of fish that you will be purchasing for your tank.

What are the best tank mates for Jack Dempsey cichlids?

We have some tank mate suggestions for you! Jack Dempsey Cichlids generally co-exist best with other South American Cichlids. Suitable tank mates for them are oscars, blind cave tetras, green terror cichlids, tinfoil barbs, fire mouth cichlids, jaguar cichlids, convict cichlids, plecos, and silver dollars.

Are Jack Dempsey cichlids aggressive?

The Jack Dempsey is one of dozens of variations of the Cichlid species. Right off the bat, what needs to be said is that these guys are fairly aggressive when housed in a smaller tank with just a few other fish. Most people would recommend keeping them with a multitude of fish mates, and to keep them in a tank of no less than 100 gallons.

How long do Jack Dempseys live?

By having a lengthy lifespan, these cichlids make great fish to keep in an aquarium. If properly maintained and cared for, Jack Dempseys can live for up to eight to 10 years.

Do Jack Dempsey fish dig in gravel?

Like many cichlids, Jack Dempsey fish have a natural instinct to dig in the aquarium substrate. If you watch closely, you’ll notice they “sift” the gravel, looking for food like crustaceans and worms. You can use any size gravel but the ideal substrate is fine sand.

Do Jack Dempsey fish lay eggs?

Jack Dempsey fish performs pair spawning on a substrate. The fish may use different substrates such as large flat stone, flower pot, or some section of a tank bottom cleaned from the substrate. There were also cases when fish, just like dwarf cichlids, laid their eggs inside their nookery.

What cichlids are similar to Jack Dempsey?

Fire mouth cichlids are a lot smaller than the Jack Dempsey, although they will be good tank mates as long as they have enough space to swim around (they need at least a 55-gallon tank). 6. Jaguar Cichlid These cichlids are even more aggressive than the Jack Dempsey.

How long do Jack Dempsey cichlids live?

By having a lengthy lifespan, these cichlids make great fish to keep in an aquarium. If properly maintained and cared for, Jack Dempseys can live for up to eight to 10 years. In the healthiest of environments, some have even made it to 15! 8 Are They Right For You?

How long can you keep Jack Dempsey fish together?

Keeping the fish couple for 3-6 month together and then for 1.5-3 month or more apart, is considered to be ok if you keep Jack Dempsey fish couple in a small tank (in a big tank the female fish just swims to its other side and usually the male fish doesn’t chase her).

What kind of fish is Jack Dempsey?

The Jack Dempsey fish (lat. Rocio octofasciata, earlier called Cichlasoma octofasciatum) is a widely spread tank fish within North and Central America. Because of the fish’s congenital aggressiveness towards its tank mates, the USA aquarists have called it Jack Dempsey by the popular professional boxer’s name.

What size aquarium do Jack Dempsey fish need?

If you’re going to keep one or more of these fish, it is best to set up an aquarium dedicated to the needs of your Jack Dempsey fish. Since the fish will grow to a length of 10 inches, a 55-gallon or larger aquarium is recommended.

What are the tank conditions for Jack Dempsey cichlids?

As a majority of Central America cichlids, Jack Dempsey fish doesn’t have any special requirements for the tank conditions. Nevertheless, the tank water should be clean, i.e., with zero ammonia and nitrite levels, and nitrate concentration shouldn’t exceed 40 mg/l.

What do you need to know about keeping a Jack Dempsey?

But there’s more than aquarium size to consider when keeping large cichlids like Jack Dempsey fish. Here is a breakdown of all the important parameters and aquarium hardware needed to keep your Jack Dempsey healthy and happy.

Can Jack Dempsey fish live with goldfish?

While Jack Dempsey fish are generally safe to be kept in tanks, they are not the best choice due to their aggressive behaviour. Thus, it is important to consider which fish species to keep as their tankmates. Other than another species of cichlids, they can be kept with goldfish, angelfish, cascarudo, and tetra.

What do you need to know about Jack Dempsey cichlids?

But there’s more than aquarium size to consider when keeping large cichlids like Jack Dempsey fish. Here is a breakdown of all the important parameters and aquarium hardware needed to keep your Jack Dempsey healthy and happy. Unlike some tropical fish, Jack Dempseys thrive in a wide range of water chemistry parameters.

What kind of food do Jack Dempsey fish eat?

Jack Dempsey fish food can include pellets, flakes, shellfish, tubifex, brine shrimp, bloodworm, thawed seafood, etc. They also like vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, and blowball leaves; all these must be well chopped and do take care to make every other food available in sizable bits for the ease of consumption.

Can you keep multiple Jack Dempsey fish together?

If you wish to keep more than one Jack Dempsey, do so in large groups; never keep them in pairs. Shrimps, snails, and even crabs run the risk of harm, so be sure to separate them if you keep these kinds together during the cichlid’s youth.

What do you feed a Dempsey cichlid?

Crickets, feeder fish, small frogs or other live foods not only will be devoured, but they’ll be appreciated as well. A high-quality pellet food designed specifically for cichlids is an excellent base for your Dempsey’s diet, as long as you incorporate either live or freeze-dried meats.

Are Jack Dempsey and fire mouth cichlids good tankmates?

Fire mouth cichlids are a lot smaller than the Jack Dempsey, although they will be good tank mates as long as they have enough space to swim around (they need at least a 55-gallon tank). 6.

What is a Jack Dempsey cichlid?

Jack Dempsey cichlids are a member of the Cichlidae family, and are native to Central America. In Australia, they are a popular aquarium fish typically sold for tropical freshwater tanks, although their aggressive nature means they are not suitable for community tanks. They can live more than 10 years and can reach 25 cm in length.

How big do Jack Dempsey fish get?

Jack Dempsey fish are frequently sold as juveniles, measuring 2 to 3 inches in length. The young fish are often “packed” into a display tank at the aquarium shop. This leads novice aquarists to believe the fish will stay relatively small and live happily in a 10 or 20 gallon aquarium.