Jack Dempsey care? Will he eat my Bichir?

[BigBossPants]

Hi, I just got an Ornate Bichir and a Jack Dempsey.
How well do these species go together? The guy at the lfs said they'd be fine, but I never trust a salesman.
Dempsey is about 7" and Bichir is 6". Bichir has hiding places and plants so he should keep out of Dempseys way... Is there any special care that Mr. Jack needs?
He will get cichlid pellets, fish fillets and beef heart (same as Bichir) and no doubt he will clean up the feeder tetras.

 

[AMG]

Is there any special care that Mr. Jack needs?

Jacks are easy. Give them clean warm water, and plenty of high quality foods. Tough fish all around.

Just watch for aggression from the JD. If he starts attacking the Bichir divide them immediately. Jacks hit hard, and a submissive fish will be picked on relentlessly.

 

[BigBossPants]

Ah yep, I suspected as much. He's a little territorial about the cave, but he can't get into it and there's another opening so I think everyone's happy at this stage. Will keep a close eye on them, thanks

 

[ksfishguy]

Keep him fed and you might be okay. My JD had a nasty habit of bitting fish in half when she got hungry. I agree with AMG, mine didn't pester fish, but when they hit another fish, it was over. Good luck, I miss my JD!

 

[balton777]

What kind of bichir do you have? I have 2-3 bichirs in each of my CA/SA aggressive tanks and I've never had so much as a scratch on any of the bichirs. I have a regular and a long fin Senagal that both constantly swim around in the open. The cichlids totally ignore them but I guess there's always the possibility something could happen.

 

[killerfish]

thye will be fine ornates get big enough to avoid trouble

what size tank do yo have

 

[BigBossPants]

It's a 4' tank, not sure how many gallons but it's about 240 liters.
Yep I have an Ornate, figured once he got bigger he'd be fine. Good thing is he's fast and can worm into little gaps that JD can' get into. They were sharing the cave last night quite happily, and JD follows Belial around the tank with his fins all droopy. He looks submissive when he does it, it's quite odd to watch. SOMEONE ate heaps of feeders last night, so I'll be keeping an eye on his food intake, the dirty stealer hehe

 

[balton777]

Ornate. Sorry I'm retarded...I just have to read better lol.


I don't think you'll have a problem with them whatsoever. One thing though, try to get them both on a good quality pellet diet and ditch the feeders.

 

[BigBossPants]

Way ahead of ya They're getting 'Aqua One' Cichlid Pellets and little cubes of either beef heart or fish flesh. I alternate the food so they get some variety. Once the feeders all get eaten I won't be getting any more, just got them cos they were cheap and I was wanted something to look at other than the Bichir. Only 3 to go, the fast ones lol (2 silvertip tetras and a mountain minnow)