How mean are Jack Dempseys?

[seds]

Sooo I ended up receiving a Jack Dempsey and I don't really want it that bad but i'm keeping him... for now... in a 35 gallon tank.

What I really wanted was for my 35 to be a mineralized topsoil planted tank. But before I had the topsoil done, someone foiled my plans with a JACK DEMPSEY!

So what I am asking is, I have this 70 gallon. Is it compatable with the four tinfoil barbs I have? They would be the only other fish in the tank. I don't want them to become some giant punching bags or anything, but that way I could fulfill my destiny and enter the ADA aquascaping contest.

THOUGHTS? I know there are some serious jack dempsey lovers here. AS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL TEMPERMENT of my JD, he seems to be pretty shy. Hides a lot, runs away and stuff like that.

 

[superleggera123]

any cichlid with plants equals fail!
JDs love uprooting plants bro
as for aggression
jds IMHO are wimps
but they can be mean sometimes!
your tinfoil barbs will be to fast to catch!
but for a planted tank it wont work
get rid of him if you want a planted tank

 

[Pyramid_Party]

I'd say they are generally semi-aggressive. I think it would work really well with your tinfoil barbs in the 70 gallon. Plus the barbs are quite quick and the JD will have a hard time catching them. Might not even bother them, or will realize they are too fast. I have a female JD in my tank, a bit bossy with the other cichlids. I have some zebra danios and she sometimes tries to catch them but they are too quick and she knows it. So she ignores them most of the time. You will be fine.

 

[JTRG05]

yup. If your JD is hiding, he probably won't be that aggressive with others, mine kept to himself until he got bigger, over a year old, now he swims freely around the tank instead of hiding, and while although a little more aggressive, he's fairly peaceful for a cichlid. As for your plants, mine doesn't seem to like to actually eat or nip them, but does like to dig a lot, and unless you like floating plants...well, just don't keep one in a planted tank

 

[phillydog1958]

they can be a menace, but maybe your's is a little timid and will get along with the tins. give it a try. it's trial and error.

 

[seds]

If he chases them around, I can switch him back. The only plant I have in the 70 is an onion plant. If he uproots it, I'll relocate the onion or sell it. But the tinfoil barbs don't touch it, and they are plant destroyers.

Even so, if he chases the barbs a little, they will get a bit of exercise. They sit on the one side drifting up and down most of the time...

Thanks for the reassurance of my plot. As for floating plants with a JD, the little punk shredded my hornwort fairly bad... and almost completely destroyed my bladderwort.

 

[Jmart159]

IMO he will do fine in there. My JD lurks around most of the time under the cover of a pot and only leaves to eat and chase away the other fish when they get a little too close. In general, he doesn't cause too much trouble and kinda keeps to himself.

 

[poly-nomial]

Sooo I ended up receiving a Jack Dempsey and I don't really want it that bad but i'm keeping him... for now... in a 35 gallon tank.

What I really wanted was for my 35 to be a mineralized topsoil planted tank. But before I had the topsoil done, someone foiled my plans with a JACK DEMPSEY!

So what I am asking is, I have this 70 gallon. Is it compatable with the four tinfoil barbs I have? They would be the only other fish in the tank. I don't want them to become some giant punching bags or anything, but that way I could fulfill my destiny and enter the ADA aquascaping contest.

THOUGHTS? I know there are some serious jack dempsey lovers here. AS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL TEMPERMENT of my JD, he seems to be pretty shy. Hides a lot, runs away and stuff like that.

Jd's are really not that bad compared to Red devils, Green terrors, Parachromis etc. They pack just a smidge more punch than the average oscar. As long as the Tinfoils are not large enough to be a snack, go ahead, Tinfoil barbs a large schoolers, they are not your average Tetra, they are very fast too. A jack Dempsey doesn't have a chance at taking down a 6"+ Tinfoil barb. So i would go ahead. Make sure there are caves and that they are fed often, there should be powerful filtration as well.

Good luck!