Jack Dempsey log

[Galactik]

I decided to compile my last post as a log following this new project as I attempt to setup a more natural looking tank and hopefully breed my Jack Dempseys.

I recently traded some fish locally for a beautiful female Jack Dempsey - I think shes about 4" more or less.





I then proceeded to get what I think is a male. This was pretty hard finding a regular jd locally. For some reason all my local lfs are currently carrying are ebjd's.

He is much smaller than the female but had good color so I took him home.



As you can see, he was pretty thin looking but after a few days of blood worms, hes looking much better/fuller.

 

[LDPatton]

Jacks are one of my favorite fish. I have a male thats around 5” maybe 5 1/4. His colors are really coming out. He would make a great breeding male. Unfortunately I dont think my current setups will allow me to house a breeding pair. Good luck with your pair and dont forget to keep this updated with the progress.

 

[BichirKing]

nice! breeding jacks is one of the easiest fish I've ever bred. I used the offspring to feed my eels.

 

[Galactik]

For the past few days it looks like the female has claimed a log/cave by the side of the tank while the male cruises all over the place despite of his size. Not nearly as reserved as the female.







I've decided to remove the silver dollar school I had because I'm trying to see if I can get some plants growing in here - for more natural cover as well as to further reduce any nitrates.

I have added some water wisteria trimmings to float on top as well as some pothos on the side. Hoping this will also help reduce the lighting and make the fish feel more comfortable.





I'm currently debating adding something to act as a dither and ideally produce some natural food.

I added a few ramshorn snails to see if they stand a chance and I was also thinking about adding some kind of livebearer like swordtails or mollies.

Anyone have experiences doing something similar. Will the Dempseys be too rough on them?

 

[Niki_up]

For the past few days it looks like the female has claimed a log/cave by the side of the tank while the male cruises all over the place despite of his size. Not nearly as reserved as the female.

View attachment 1393205

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I've decided to remove the silver dollar school I had because I'm trying to see if I can get some plants growing in here - for more natural cover as well as to further reduce any nitrates.

I have added some water wisteria trimmings to float on top as well as some pothos on the side. Hoping this will also help reduce the lighting and make the fish feel more comfortable.

View attachment 1393209

View attachment 1393210

I'm currently debating adding something to act as a dither and ideally produce some natural food.

I added a few ramshorn snails to see if they stand a chance and I was also thinking about adding some kind of livebearer like swordtails or mollies.

Anyone have experiences doing something similar. Will the Dempseys be too rough on them?

Mollies and swords are good choices. I have both in with my jacks and the jacks don’t bother them at all. To be honest they are rough on each other if I add new swords or mollies the original swords and mollies bully the new comers.

also as I have learned from duanes (sorry if I spelled your name incorrectly, I don’t know how to tag people) mollies live with jacks in the wild.

 

[YankeeJack]

Great Tanks and JDs!!! Wonderful pictures too! Like the aquascaping! Nice job fattening up that male.

The female is unlikely to spawn if the male is smaller, so if you are unsuccessful getting them to pair up, you may need to think about getting a larger male.

It's too bad that Silver Dollars and plants go play well together, eh?

Best of luck!

 

[Galactik]

Mollies and swords are good choices. I have both in with my jacks and the jacks don’t bother them at all. To be honest they are rough on each other if I add new swords or mollies the original swords and mollies bully the new comers.

also as I have learned from duanes (sorry if I spelled your name incorrectly, I don’t know how to tag people) mollies live with jacks in the wild.

Awesome good to know, I think that will definitely be my next step.

I'll see what I can find around here.

 

[BichirKing]

also as I have learned from duanes (sorry if I spelled your name incorrectly, I don’t know how to tag people)

to tag someone use the @ before their name. a list will appear and you can click on the person you want to tag. Niki_up

 

[Galactik]

Great Tanks and JDs!!! Wonderful pictures too! Like the aquascaping! Nice job fattening up that male.

The female is unlikely to spawn if the male is smaller, so if you are unsuccessful getting them to pair up, you may need to think about getting a larger male.

It's too bad that Silver Dollars and plants go play well together, eh?

Best of luck!

Thank you!

Yeah I'm hoping that once the male starts putting on some size, shell be interested. Hes just too small now haha

He seems very confident and would chase the silverdollars whenever they stole food from him tho so I dont think he will be the submissive type.

It's a shame about the sd's. I love how they school and interact but they are like piranhas with plants. They decimated everything under the sun; anubias, wisteria, amazon swords, java ferns and even pothos - roots and all!

 

[Toiletcar]

Very nice jacks! Livebarers are an excellent choice. Very hardy and produce lots of fry. Fry can become food or grow out. I have a planted 25g to breed and grow out mollies and swordtails.