Am I Worrying Too Much?

[Bluesandtwo]

So I have a young electric blue Jack Dempsey, that is most definitely pride and joy of my 6 Foot.

Sort of by impulse purchase I picked up 3 female convicts today. They are young as well and smaller than the JD. I picked sure females as I didn't want the aggression that mated pairs bring - especially for my JD to suffer with.

The JD has sized the 3 up now, flares and chases them - as expected to show his domination. All 3 convicts run away / submit immediately. However I've just been reading that JDs and convicts can cross breed! Is this something I should be afraid of?? Firstly for unwanted hybrids and secondly for mating aggression?

Equally the JD had been out and about all over the tank prior to the convicts. But now he hides around the rock work (All 3 foot of it) and clearly guards it from the convicts. Is introducing the convicts now going to deter my prized fish from leaving his territory??

I'm loving the female convicts as a compliment to the JD... they're active and pretty but don't detract from him as centre piece fish... But worried I've made a mistake perhaps? It's only been a few hours so I may be over thinking everything... am I worrying too much?

 

[AaronKWolfe]

First off, nice tank. As for your questions
1. Should the EBJD and convicts breed, you could have breeding aggression, but in a large tank like that it shouldn't be a big deal as they have a lot of space, just monitor it. There is no need to really be afraid of them breeding aside from aggression.
2. He is defending the rock work from the convict cichlids, he very well may just be making it obvious that this is his territory and not to go near it, he may or may not leave that territory.
3. No, you are not worrying too much. It is a valid concern as both Jack Dempseys and Convicts are notoriously aggressive fish, but in a large tank like this it shouldn't be all that big of a deal, just watch for breeding activity and major signs of fighting and see how it works out.

 

[HybridFinatic]

Simple answer is your worrying too much

 

[Zanzag]

I'd say worrying too much also. Unless your JD is stressed out shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Bluesandtwo]

Thanks you 3. I'll keep an eye on things.

Thanks for the detailed advice Aaron.

 

[AaronKWolfe]

Thanks you 3. I'll keep an eye on things.

Thanks for the detailed advice Aaron.

No problem, hopefully everything goes well

 

[Bluesandtwo]

Well he has sulked most of the day either behind the rocks or in a front corner of the tank (I'm sure to make a point that I see him sulking lol). He's also darkened up. However he's not lost his apitite at all and the convicts are completely leaving him alone.

My guess is he's put out that he now has to share his (large) tank with other intelligent fish (not platys)... and perhaps worn himself out chasing these 3 girls around constantly!

Hopefully things will settle soon. Thankfully for him I don't plan on adding any more cichlids!

 

[Kvandy]

Female convicts will still lay eggs and guard them aggressively even with no male around.

 

[Bluesandtwo]

Female convicts will still lay eggs and guard them aggressively even with no male around.

Oh dear. Well we'll have to see. I note that other people keep various CA cichlids with convicts with success - let's just hope I'm one of them too!

Everyone is playing nicely today and the JD had stopped sulking!

 

[Zanzag]

Convicts if gender appropriate are small and tough. Many keep them as dithers to large CA species because they can can take a hefty whoopin and be fine and their small size makes it so they can escape and hide easily into rock piles.