Clown Knife Compatible w/ Jack Dempsey?

[richardhmc]

Hi, I have 6 jack dempseys ( I am going to give back 4 dempseys after I find a pair), 2 plecos, and 1 recent 5 1/2 inch clown knife that I bought. I will later on buy a 100 or more gallon tank, so I can move them. Will these fish fight? I have a feeling yes because when I dropped in my clown knife, the jds came close and kind of "suck" on the clown knife. I think this is biting. Also, my clown knife chases the jds but does not eat them which i think is because it doesnt have a big enough mouth. Will they live together peacefully? I will probably get the tank in about a month or a couple of months. Or could this be territorial reasons?

my dempseys range from 1 - 2 1/2 inches long and my plecos are around 3 inches long.
I have a 55 (longish) gallon tank with sand and few decor so that they have a good amount of swimming space.

Thanks in advance.

 

[richardhmc]

right now, i have them divided. one half is a pleco and the clown knife, other half is dempseys and other pleco.

 

[albyoscar]

With so many fish in a 55 there will be aggresion issues soon , The clown will grow faster than the jacks and want the tank for himself just keep your eye out. By the way you may think the clown doesnt have a large mouth but the do lol

 

[~A betta named Mowgli~]

With caution, they are compatable.

 

[joel]

i've got a 6" clown with a couple 6" dempseys they are alright together. you may see problems when the dempseys pair up in the future, but you will probably be ok.

 

[rallysman]

I would consider returning the ck unless you have another tank for him. He should be 12" in a year and will need to be moved to another tank. Also, dont underestimate the size of their mouths! the knife in this pic is only 12" long.

 

[richardhmc]

uh oh thats not good... a big mouth? hmm... you say you have a dempsey with a clown knife? thats interesting... So i can keep them.. with caution?

how can i keep them from fighting?
also, why do the jds nibble the ck? is this okay?

 

[benzjamin13]

I had a JD with a RCK and the JD would pick on the RCK. If your JD keeps "nibbling" on your CK, it'll end up with some pretty messed up scarring.

 

[Vivid]

I have had a 8 inch Dempsy in with a clown knife for 6 months now. No issues. The clown knife is now bigger than the dempsy. They both have their own caves that they hang out in. Never had a problem with either.

 

[Cyclop3000]

I have had a 8 inch Dempsy in with a clown knife for 6 months now. No issues. The clown knife is now bigger than the dempsy. They both have their own caves that they hang out in. Never had a problem with either.

That's because your dempsey is older. At 8" I wouldn't be worried of putting a ck in. But sounds like his JD's are way smaller, so I would agree to remove the ck from there. My blue dempsey was 11" and very old, and although nobody approached him he didn't bother anybody even though I have smaller and less agressive fish in there.