Dempseys are swift moving especially when young and during feeding but they slow down eventually and some if not most are skittish and dart off at times. Oscars aren't scared of you or anything in the room and are like water dogs. Just my experience with them also it seems dempseys are less sensitive to poor water quality.
Jack Dempsey and oscar
- Thread starter gibles0207
- Start date
i think your question in a little hard to answer as each fish will have a difference in personality. Some fish are just crazy aggressive and others gentle puppies.
Activity level is more driven from the conditions you provide. Temperatures, feeding habits, tank mates, decor / plants (stimulation for the fish), and even lighting.
I have found in many cases that brightly lit tanks cause my fish to be far less active. Combined with temps on the higher end will make for a very still calm fish. even more so if he/she is well fed.
Dim lighting (not dark), small feedings, mid range temps, natural decor have been the key for me and my fish. Always on the move searching for more bits of food, not shy or scared due to intense lighting, and a good temperature to now slow down their metabolism but not drive it too high either.
I have kept many different kinds of fish and all fish react differently to each environment differently. If you are like most of us and can't help but stare are your tank for some time you will quickly pick up on what your fish likes and doesn't like.
I think in a very general terms I would say that both fish can be equally active given proper care.
Hope this helps
Love the great info. I recently picked up a Jack, "6 at this point and he is a bit shy but I love his markings. He hides under driftwood unless its feeding time. He will chase any other fish off if they come near where he has decided to rest.
My mother kept a tank with both for probably close to 10 years. The stocking was
JD
Oscar
Dwarf Giant Gourami
Red Tail Shark
Common Pleco.
The Oscar was the most personable fish, the JD the most aggressive and reclusive, the gourami was the dominant fish and died of overfeeding three years in, the red tail shark was everyone's favorite, when it died the tank was torn down, and the pleco was kept for years after the O and JD were traded in for livebearers.
JD
Oscar
Dwarf Giant Gourami
Red Tail Shark
Common Pleco.
The Oscar was the most personable fish, the JD the most aggressive and reclusive, the gourami was the dominant fish and died of overfeeding three years in, the red tail shark was everyone's favorite, when it died the tank was torn down, and the pleco was kept for years after the O and JD were traded in for livebearers.
