JD are mean

[Aqua Sanctuary]

I picked up 2 small JD's about 2 inches and i have them in a 20 gallon tank now with an algae eater thats is about 2.5 inches long.

It seems like the little JD's are kicking the algea eater butt!there are a few places to hide for him.

Is it a good idea to keep an algae eater in there at all? I'm not so sure anymore

 

[PoopSmart]

You neveer know. If its got ripped up fins it mightb e good to take it out, but if its got soem good hiding spots it should be fine.

If its the algae eater I am thinking of (fast aggressive ones) then it will probably be alright.

Some plecos just take a beating and don't learn to hide.

 

[BrtnBoy449]

they are probably just being real territorial because they are in such a small tank

 

[macktab]

Try small diam pipe or somethig that dempseys can not enter for algea eater to hide in until you can fid better arrangement.

 

[benzjamin13]

Once the fish are more aquainted with each other, they might be fine. Just keep an eye on them. You might have to move the Algae Eater.

 

[Headrush]

I'm going out on a limb and guessing you're new to the hobby, so...

You should get a bigger tank. 55 or bigger. you'll have to upgrade sooner or later to keep those fish properly, so why not do it now?

a larger tank (believe it or not) easier to take care of and causes fewer headaches than a small tank like that. Read up on filtration and the nitrogen cycle too. You'll need to keep up with water changes probably 1x per week too.

If you take good care of them from the start you'll really dig them when they're 7-10" long swimming around in there.

Good luck!!

 

[macktab]

Good advice. I keep my 9in M & 6in F dempsey in 55g w/ my 10in pleco. It works well with this pair and they are very happy with just enough room. A 75g is much better because it is about 5in deeper and costs about the same.

 

[pdbrady]

Not new to the hobby, check sig and post count. As already said, if it's visually beat up, pull it. Otherwise it should be fine once the jd figure out their new home, just give plenty of hides.

 

[AMG]

Is it a good idea to keep an algae eater in there at all? I'm not so sure anymore

I would go with a pleco over a CAE, they are armored and can take the hits. My Jack fights my large pleco all the time for his algae wafers. But the pleco shrugs off his hits like nothing. The Pleco eventually gets mad and fights back. Which makes my Dempsey back off.

 

[faststang1]

JD's can be very mean!!!!