Jack Dempsey Advice.

[DazzaClio]

Hi,

Ive got two young Jack Dempseys that i havent had long. When they where both im my smaller tank they seemed fine, i have now moved them in my bigger tank with my bigger fish they still seem fine but dont seem to be together as much.

They both stay at either end of the tank under rocks etc and when they come out the slightly bigger one always darts after the other one, the dominant one always stays dark in colour and recently the other one is always very light in colour now.

Some pictures not very good its hard to get some of them.

So my questions is why has this one started to stay a light colour?

Im not moaning as i really like it in the light colour.

They are both around 3 Inchs.

Thanks Darren.

 

[Agliata45]

well to me it looks like the one on the bottom is a female, that might be a reason.

 

[AQUAMONSTER]

they look the same so sexing is too hard they need to grow a little. When you threw them in the bigger tank they felt safer by being alone and just swam away. they will find each other again. As for forming a pair you should have bought more if thats what you wanted

 

[Mechanic]

The one thats lighter in colour might be feeling more stressed than the other?

 

[blauaugigengel]

It's hard to sex JDs at such a small size, but it looks like both pictures you have are female JDs. This will be more apparent as they age. Males have pointier anal and dorsal fins, and LITTLE to NO blue scales on the cheeks. Females DO get the bright blue scales on the cheeks. ( I dont know how long you've had JDs but my avatar is an example of adult male coloring.) JDs (like many other cichlids) can change color according to mood. When aggravated, they brighten up, and the colors contrast more. When stressed, or when trying to show submission, they dull their colors, and the nice color contrasts disappear. Hope that helps.