Jack Dempsey's wont eat
- Thread starter Hackney
- Start date
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GolemGolem;4667486; said:Hrmmmm....they waited 10 days without eating (then they ate bloodworms)..The standard advice seems to be to feed nothing but pellets untill the JDs come around, but I wouldn't want my fish to go more than about a week without food...dunno. Are the JDs the most submissive fish in the tank?
The Jack dempseys are the only fish in the tank (a 55 gallon grow out tank) until i move them to the 125
Gatorxxx420;4667775; said:One thing to remember, is just because your water looks crystal clear doesn't mean the chemistry is ok. The fact that they ate the bloodworms is a good sign, but I'd up to either 2-25% changes a week or 1 50% a week. Don't offer them anymore bloodworms, just offer a few pellets until they come around. Mine are picky and wont touch pellets. Eventually, that's all they'll be offered.
I actually had my water tested when i got the bloodworms at my LFS everything was fine, except for a small trace of ammonia (Guy said it was probably from the food i was putting in the tank and they werent eating) I picked up some Bio-Boost for that and the ammonia is gone now.
Bully Fish;4667797; said:What is the temperature of the tank?
Temp is between 78-79 degrees
Just give them a few days without even offering food. If they dont eat after that I would treat the entire tank with jungle parasite clear.
well... I've got some fantastic news. The dempseys have now acquired ich. I am regretting my switch to SA CICHLIDS from AFRICAN CICHLIDS. I had my africans for over a year and a half w no problems at all and these Dempseys have been nothing but trouble. Could i possibly be looking at a parasite infection now? SO FRUSTRATING!!!
Hackney;4669831; said:well... I've got some fantastic news. The dempseys have now acquired ich. I am regretting my switch to SA CICHLIDS from AFRICAN CICHLIDS. I had my africans for over a year and a half w no problems at all and these Dempseys have been nothing but trouble. Could i possibly be looking at a parasite infection now? SO FRUSTRATING!!!
ICH is easily treated. Just raise your temp to about 84-86 degrees, add aquarium salt. Are they still not eating? If not, feed em bloodworms again and see what their poop looks like. If it's a normal color, then you will just have to fast them and then offer a few pellets randomly through out the day until they finally eat. These fish can be very stubborn.
Understand not ALL CA/SA cichlids are "frustrating". Mine have had their moments, but I wouldn't trade them for anything. Far more entertaining and exciting than any African Cichlid tank I've ever seen. Also far better looking IMO.
If your Dempsey's don't come around, take them back to the store, see if you can exchange them for some Midas or Red Devil juvies. You'll thank yourself for that.
Standard jack dempsey are some of the easiest cichlids to care for. Increase heat and dose with aquarium salt like has been suggested. The increase in temp may also help boost their appetite also.
Dont give up, I think you will enjoy the experience of keeping central and south american cichlids. They have more personality and owner interaction when compared to africans.
Dont give up, I think you will enjoy the experience of keeping central and south american cichlids. They have more personality and owner interaction when compared to africans.
Thanks guys. I had been wanting to switch to CA/SA for a long time. It's just frustrating that when i finally did things didnt go as planned. As far as their poop goes its very dark i guess since all they have been eating is bloodworms. I plan on getting them over this ich and then fasting them until they accept the pellets as well. I'M NOT GIVING UP!
yeah raise the temps and dose with salt (1tsp per gallon a day for 3days and leave for at least two weeks)
sorry your transition has been such a rough one, normally JDs are super easy to care for, its really odd that they aren't eating, any cichlid i've ever got always ate within 5 hours of going into the tank and thats including finicky wild angelfish, my JD i had ate within 10min of being put in the tank. some JDs are just super shy though... but yeah keep looking at their poo whenever you can, it may change color and be white/stringy one time and then normal the next, the way they are not eating really makes me think that there is parasites or something going on
sorry your transition has been such a rough one, normally JDs are super easy to care for, its really odd that they aren't eating, any cichlid i've ever got always ate within 5 hours of going into the tank and thats including finicky wild angelfish, my JD i had ate within 10min of being put in the tank. some JDs are just super shy though... but yeah keep looking at their poo whenever you can, it may change color and be white/stringy one time and then normal the next, the way they are not eating really makes me think that there is parasites or something going on
