i have about a 6 inch Jack Dempsey or blue gene Jack Dempsey the pet store told me. I want to know how to determine its sex, and I want to know why it seems skittish. The fish is in a 55 gallon by itself and has been for over a month and seems terrified of me. Any suggestions??
Jack Dempsey got me confused
- Thread starter Bryceporter510
- Start date
JDs like a lot of cichlids need cover/hides and early warning fish like live bearers to feel comfortable. If it’s a normal JD it may eventually get past this, but an EBJD will be even more stressed in an already weak fish and will eventually kick. Either way you need cover and dithers for a JD to be comfortable otherwise you just seem to be a predator. They also like extra space just like any other bigger fish and in nature tend to guard an area about 4 times the size of your tank.
Here's the kind of environment Chockfull of Phall spoke of, that JDs live in, in nature.
as you can see, shoals of live bearers that provide an early warming of danger, large rocks to hide under and along the shores, overhanging vegetation.
Some of their most common predators are birds, so sudden movements, and shadows instinctually bring on a flight response, unless they are surrounded by dither fish that don't react..
as you can see, shoals of live bearers that provide an early warming of danger, large rocks to hide under and along the shores, overhanging vegetation.
Some of their most common predators are birds, so sudden movements, and shadows instinctually bring on a flight response, unless they are surrounded by dither fish that don't react..
I still have the same experience with my JD. If I make any changes to the tank at all he may go off food and hide for a period of time. What type of cover/decor do you have in the tank? It may seem counterintuitive, but often the more hiding spots a fish has the more often it will be out in the open.
In the tank rn he has a large cave about 8 by 12 inch inside. But that’s the only place he has to hide right now. And what type of fish should I put in with him? Won’t he just eat them haha. I’m an Oscar owner, the jd life is new to me haha
Mollies, he may eat some but if you put 8-10 mollies or swordtails with some kind of floating plant they should still thrive
Okay cool thanks, how can I tell gender of my jd?
And I have another post on here, would love if you could look at it for me, thanks
Bearding on the lips/gills,I’m not qualified to answer sexing questions. Post a pic someone on here will be able to tell you.