peacock bass cichlid and jack dempseys

[huntery18]

Hey guys i just introduced a juvenile peacock bass in with my four juvenile jd's, im only gonna keep 2 of the 4 jd's just waiting for them to pair off, does anyone have any suggestions for keeping these two together? so far the jd's arent being aggressive towards the peacock bass he kinda just minds his own business.

 

[Gourami Swami]

Well long term you may have problems, in that most peacock bass will grow large enough to eat a female jack Dempsey. The cichla will also grow much faster, and a male JD may be outgrown and eaten as well. Beyond that, the jack dempseys are usually more boisterous at a small size and may bully the peacocks before they are outgrown. Also, cichla prefer softer water with a lower pH, wheras jack dempseys like the opposite. Cichla will also require a 200+ gallon aquarium eventually, due to their huge size.
In my opinion, not the greatest combo long term. May work out in the short term if your JD can grow quickly enough to avoid being eaten.

 

[huntery18]

Well long term you may have problems, in that most peacock bass will grow large enough to eat a female jack Dempsey. The cichla will also grow much faster, and a male JD may be outgrown and eaten as well. Beyond that, the jack dempseys are usually more boisterous at a small size and may bully the peacocks before they are outgrown. Also, cichla prefer softer water with a lower pH, wheras jack dempseys like the opposite. Cichla will also require a 200+ gallon aquarium eventually, due to their huge size.
In my opinion, not the greatest combo long term. May work out in the short term if your JD can grow quickly enough to avoid being eaten.

I have given it some thought, my jack dempseys are a little bit bigger then the pb so I believe ill have close to a year before ill need to get a lager tank and move tank mates around, the current housing is more of a grow up tank

 

[TheWolfman]

It’s a role of the dice I’ve kept jd with Cichla and before and had success, I’ve also had to rehouse a jack because it was too mean. A general rule of thumb for bass (and every other fish) if it can fit in their mouth it will eventually wind up in there. As Gourami Swami pointed out a larger tank will be necessary in the near future.

 

[huntery18]

It’s a role of the dice I’ve kept jd with Cichla and before and had success, I’ve also had to rehouse a jack because it was too mean. A general rule of thumb for bass (and every other fish) if it can fit in their mouth it will eventually wind up in there. As Gourami Swami pointed out a larger tank will be necessary in the near future.

i plan to get at least a 125 gallon in the future once the time comes, thanks for the reply, ill keep yall posted

 

[TheWolfman]

i plan to get at least a 125 gallon in the future once the time comes, thanks for the reply, ill keep yall posted

Cichla need at least a 2’ wide tank. I would say 180 bare minimum.

 

[Gourami Swami]

Cichla need at least a 2’ wide tank. I would say 180 bare minimum.

Yeah, problem with 125s is they are 18" wide, depending on the type of cichla you have your fish could grow larger than 18", 125 probably won't be a good permanent home. Would probably go 200+

 

[huntery18]

Yeah, problem with 125s is they are 18" wide, depending on the type of cichla you have your fish could grow larger than 18", 125 probably won't be a good permanent home. Would probably go 200+

ideally id like to get a outside above ground pool and make it for one with heaters lights trees ect but it will be a process

 

[Jeffro2006]

I’ve kept the combination twice before, as soon as the jacks reach 3-4 inches, if the bass isn’t atleast 5 inches, it’s gonna get tore to shreds

But then again maybe it’s just me, my centrals always turn out extremely violent haha

 

[huntery18]

I’ve kept the combination twice before, as soon as the jacks reach 3-4 inches, if the bass isn’t atleast 5 inches, it’s gonna get tore to shreds

But then again maybe it’s just me, my centrals always turn out extremely violent haha

yeah i rolled the dice and tried it, my peacock bass was sickly looking upon receiving the shipment and my jd's would bully him all day long, i had to find him a new home before he was killed