Is this typical JD behavior?

[PostalPenguin]

I have a pair of JD's in a 40B that are behaving strangely. The fish appear to be paired up, they stick together, the male "wiggles" at the female and they frequently brush against each other. They are 8" and 6" and we've had them for about 2 -3 weeks.

However, they seem almost catatonic. I cant turn the light on otherwise they will just hide in PVC tubes the whole time. When the light is dim they just sit there, doing nothing. Once in awhile they will swim to the other side of the tank but that is it.

The male will sometimes eat pellets but the female refuses all pellets. We put a few ghost shrimp and neon tetras in as feeders which have disappeared at night. The male shows no recognition that I am the bringer of food like my other cichlids which beg at the glass when I approach.

We did not raise either of these from juveniles so I don't know the conditions they were raised in.

Is this typical JD behavior? Is it because the tank is too small(I am pursuing leads to get a 75g or larger tank)? Do they need dither fish to feel comfortable? Are they still adjusting to their tank(2 weeks on)?

 

[VRWC]

Personally, this is why I dont keep/dont like JDs. They are just skittish by nature.

Ive tried many times over the past 25yrs in tons of different scenarios (tank mates, tank sizes, dithers, diet, lights, planted, aquascaping etc) and none of it ever mattered.

If you read through other posts, youll see its a common occurrence.

Good Luck with it.

 

[Ctrl_Alt_Dlt]

that is very typical! JD's are skittish. Its their personality. Chances are, they were never socialized much with other fish, humans and light. My BG-JD pair is like this too.

 

[cacichlids]

I agree with the above posts... that's also the reason why I stopped keeping JD even though I consider them to be one of the most beautiful cichlids, they're too skittish. I've seen a few exceptions but have had no luck with mine

 

[Jc1119]

I hear it's typical behavior, but mine missed the memo. I think it's because I bought mine when he was about 1.5" and has had lots of tankmates and has always been in a tank in a high traffic area of our house. He's about 6" now. Mine only hides after he pisses my Midas off and gets his butt whopped. Other than that, hes always out front begging for food, or just generally hanging out. Interestingly enough, he's showing interest in my female freddy. They've been working on both back corners of the tank together for about 2 weeks.

He never misses a meal and will taste any non cichlid fish smaller than him.

 

[Water]

It really depends on the individual fish.. but overrall JD's are skittish. I had one that was skittish as hell. I got so tired of it, I just gave it to a lfs. I got another one after that and it was so so.. It came up when I would feed the fish.. but never really came to me when I approached the tank.

 

[PostalPenguin]

That is good to know. Their behavior just contrasts so much with all my other cichlids. My GT and convicts all "wag" in front of the glass for food and are always trying to get my attention when I walk by. I just assumed the JD would be the same.

 

[smitty03281964]

My experience of JD is not there are skittish and shy. I just think that your fish still do not feel comfortable yet. They will decide that not you.

 

[Gruff Master]

Personally, this is why I dont keep/dont like JDs. They are just skittish by nature.

Ive tried many times over the past 25yrs in tons of different scenarios (tank mates, tank sizes, dithers, diet, lights, planted, aquascaping etc) and none of it ever mattered.

If you read through other posts, youll see its a common occurrence.

Good Luck with it.

I agree completely!

 

[blauaugigengel]

My JD was shy as a juvenile, but toughened up with age. I think it helped that I raised him from 2" and now he is 1'. I've had him for about 5 years. However, now that he has an 8" girlfriend, they are both hiding in their PVC pipes again. So go figure....