Jack Dempseys

[Bichirman]

I just picked up six baby Dempseys (1") and was wondering how long I have untill they start disliking each other? At about what size and age will they become territorial instead of what looks like shoaling?

 

[HarpoGarza]

Not too long, less than a year. I bought two when I first started back in the hobby, and they couldn't stand each other from day one. The smaller one turned out to be a dwarf, so I passed him along to my nephew. My big Jack is about 5" now, and I adopted a 4" JD from a friend yesterday. No trouble yet, but I'm keeping my eyes peeled. A lot depends on the temperment of the individual fish. All it takes is one of them to get a bit feisty to throw your tank into chaos.

 

[Jason_S]

probably around 3" is when they'll start acting territorial. what size tank do you have them in?

 

[benzjamin13]

The one I use to have was quite territorial by 2" in my 20g and then I moved him into the 75g where he then proceeded to get bigger and aggressive with mainly the Royal Clown Knife and with the Oscar until the Oscar got bigger than he was.

 

[Filthy Sanchez]

In all honestly it'll happen sooner than you think.

 

[dtgshark]

In only a few months, they are naturally territorial.

 

[Fry]

i'm surprised they're not territorial already, my baby one is

 

[The_Gooch]

Like everyone else said, it won't be long. Usually you can see the juvies in your LFS nipping at each other for their territories.

It'll happen soon enough.

 

[Skoomakilla]

it all depends on you individual fish