sorry but first let me ask you some questions:
1. What size tank?
2. What kind of filtration?
3. What are the water parameters? (pH, hardness, temp, etc)
4. Tankmates?
5. Food
Here is what I would recommend:
Well i would say the first thing that you need is an aquarium with a large enough footprint (75gallon would work). It will be a lot harder to get them to breed in an aquarium that’s too small. I would probably try to put the heat around 80-83F. Assuming you have the right amount of filtration, you should be doing constant water changes. I'd say something around 35ish% once or twice a week, but more is always better. They’re a tough fish and don’t really require any special water conditions, just keep them in the regular pH and alkalinity ranges. As for tankmates, I feel like if you want to have the best outcome, you shouldn’t house the pair with any other big or aggressive fish. Other big fish will stress them out. Small schooling fish, known as “dither fish” are always good at providing a “bonding experience” for the JD pair. They’ll work together to keep the dithers away from their nesting site. Some good dither fish are tiger giant danios, silver dollars (in a big tank), most barbs that won’t become food, and even smaller cichlids (convicts) as long as they’re all the same sex.
Speaking of the nesting site, that is the most important piece of tank décor. Cichlids like to lay eggs (which will number in the hundreds) on smooth surfaces, and like things like slate rock. Another option would be to put in a flower pot that they could fit into. Other tank décor isn’t as important. I would definitely add things for the dithers to hide behind. Also, since your male is so much bigger than your female, she might need a place to hide as well (always have a tank divider ready). Make sure to watch to make sure that your male isn’t too aggressive, but do expect a little bit of nipping and chasing and the usual.
But most importantly out of this whole response, DO YOUR RESEARCH. Not saying that you didn’t or won’t, but it just really frustrates me when other people get fish (especially big intelligent fish like cichlids) without having any idea how to properly take care of them.
