Can I or Should I add an EBJD

[johndirst]

Google failed to give me any clear answer, so I will ask here.

Looking at my current stock (see my sig), would it be wise to add an EBJD to the mix?

Everyone has gotten along nicely and I feel like I have a nice balance, but I really like how the EBJD look and I would like to get the green severum a cichlid friend (plus the girlfriend wants a more "colorful" fish )

My bichir is only about 6" and I doesn't go after the green severum who is about 2-3", so as long as the EBJD was at least that size I believe he would be fine.

Before I bought the green severum, I had never owned a cichlid and reading online it seems some can be bullies.

Thanks in advance

 

[Blankmanrl]

I have a couple of EBJD's and it's a risk a lot of times putting them in the tank with other cichlids. They are not that aggressive. I had a bichir and firemouth in the tank with my EBJD's and one lost an eye. If you want to try it go for it. I am always trying to find something I can put in with my EBJD's. It's just not a real tough fish, but it has great color.

 

[johndirst]

Thanks for the info.

Of the potential tank mates, the green severum is on the bottom of the list in terms of aggression. He actually is very calm and hesitates to grab food with the Barbs darting around in front of him, usually they end up with the food. Now, adding another cichlid could change this, but I may try it.
The LFS sells the EBJD for about $25 and I would hate to spend the money and not have it work out, although I do have a buddy that would love to have him if I had to give him up

To clarify, none of my fish show aggression, but the Barbs are just kind of crazy when I feed them. They never go after others, but fly around grabbing whatever food there is. The only fish that is remotely aggressive is the bichir and that is usually to very small feeders when he does get them (occasionally). I have read the bichirs and plecos dont get a long, but mine just kind of chill together at times and the pleco has never been seen sucking on the bichir. Of course I keep him happy with algae flakes and a rather large piece of driftwood

 

[Blankmanrl]

Sounds good go for it. How big would the EBJD be???

 

[johndirst]

Normally my LFS has them in under 1" which is too small as the bichir would have a very expensive lunch

But recently they received a few that are closer to 3" which is about the size of my green severum who is untouched by the bichir.

 

[Aquanero]

Not an easy answer, if it was a JD you were talking about I'd say go for it. An EBJD is a little diferent being so easly stressed. If you have plenty of hiding places where it can feel secure and it's almost 3" for $25 I'll say go for it. If you could quarintene for two weeks and treat for IP before it goes in the main tank it would be better. Good luck.

 

[johndirst]

I second that on the price

Great info btw. I do have plenty of hiding and the tank is big enough that the EBJD could keep away from the others if it wanted. Besides, for some reason they all congregate around the right side of the tank when they are not swimming around.

I may go for it. Sounds like it is not a terrible idea (not necessarily a great idea either), just wanted to make sure I wasn't doing this blindly

 

[Sarah88]

yeah if they are almost 3in then you should be ok but i would definitely quarantine first, ebjd are really prone to internal parasites and he will more than likely need to be treated for it and you dont want to have to treat your entire 125g. also be very picky about which one you get, its not so much about color right now because at this size their color will still change dramatically as they age, more than that be on the look out for the shape of their face and that it slopes down evenly and they dont have an under bite as ebjd can be prone to beakface from inbreeding, and also make sure to pick the most outgoing one possible. more than likely the ones that hide in the store will hide in your tank so if there is one that comes up to the front then he is def the one you want GOOD LUCK

 

[johndirst]

Your the second one to say quarantine which is enough for me.
I will get by secondary tank setup as a temp home.

Great advice, lets see what I can get a hold of
Thank you.

 

[thedarkone]

Thanks for the info.

Of the potential tank mates, the green severum is on the bottom of the list in terms of aggression.

Severums are very passive, they usually show very little aggression. They can get aggressive if they are in with another severum of the same sex, especially males they will tussle over who is the dominate fish. The only other time they usually show aggression is if you have a mated pair and they will terrorize the other tank mates.