Jack Dempseys grow out in 40gallon breeder

[cjam93]

Hey guys I have 6 Jack Dempseys right around 1.5-2inch. I want to grow them out until I get a breeding pair and then move the other 4 on to other fish keepers or so on. Anyways if I placed them in a 40g breeder for the time being would they pair up over time or is the foot print to small for that to work? I have a 75g that the breeding pair will get when they are ready, but for the time being I would like to take the jacks from the 75 and place them in the 40 and take the 40 stock and place it in the 75.

 

[YankeeJack]

6 in a 40 --- it's tight but a pair could form in there. If a pair does form, the other 4 will be in trouble, since they have no where to run.

 

[cjam93]

What size do they usually start to pair up at? I figured it would be ok if it wasnt very big. They are all around 2inch right now. Also the others have a place I can move them to to be safe once a pair does form.

 

[YankeeJack]

I have had JDs start to pair up and spawn around 2.5" ... so yours could soon.

 

[smitty03281964]

I definitely think 6 JD's in a 40 can pair up. I find it usually does not take much for them to pair up. Spawning is another story.

 

[Skalper666]

I definitely think 6 JD's in a 40 can pair up. I find it usually does not take much for them to pair up. Spawning is another story.

Yah, 40g should work well for a while. Good news is that they grow slowly lol. I agree the Jacks will eventually pair, but in my experience they are not always too eager to spawn.

 

[cjam93]

How long would you think a pair of jacks could live in the 40 until they have to move to a bigger tank? Like I said once I have a pair ill move the other 4 onto others. What size is probably when they are to big for the 40?