Lots of Question on Jack Dempsey

[richardhmc]

Hi MFK! I have two dempseys, one male, one female in a 55 gallon tank, with a rena filstar xp2. I want to try to breed them but I dont know the conditions.

I have a 3.5 inch female and a 4 inch male. Is that mature enough for them to pair?

My water parameters are
Temp: 78
nitrate: 40 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
PH: 7.2 (added to much crushed coral)whoops
KH:180
GH: 180

Is there something wrong with the KH and GH? Ever since I added the crushed coral, the KH/GH went high. Are these good conditions to breed dempseys? If not, what are good parameters?

Also, I was told if dark, fish are not stressed but if they are pale, they are stressed. When i got my female jack dempsey, she was so dark that i could only see her eyes. After going into my tank, shes mostly pale, but sometimes dark. My male is ALWAYS dark, unless its been sleeping or if it was under the driftwood.

I asked my lfs and they told me it could be the lighting. Some people told me it could be the gravel ( Which is white gravel w/ crushed coral which is also white )

Also, there will be times when the fish, they just not move. Like I see other peoples fish moving around constantly, not stopping. My fish, they like sorta sit inside the log or near the plants. I dont think thats normal, is it?

Thanks

-richard

 

[salsa]

It is probably the substrate. Fish blend in with their surroundings (lighter gravel-lighter fish) My jacks paired up when the female was 5 inches and the male was 9inches. They have brought me many fry.

 

[X24]

One dempsey is fine in a 55 gallon, two aren't gunna work out in the 55 gallon. Unless u are talking about just breeding them in their and then moving them into a larger tank.

i'd recommend a 75 gallon for a breeding pair alone.

 

[Bderick67]

Hey Richard, best bet would be to trade you JDs for a pair of Firemouths or convicts, either of them would be more suited to a 55 gallon tank. They are cichlids and the breeding habits are similar to JDs so the experience yopu gain could later be used in breeding JDs when ya get that larger tank(BTW how are the grades?).

I see you added crushed coral for your pH, is your tap still at 6.0? If it is keep your water changes to 10% so ya don't shock the fish with a large pH swing. Ofcourse you'll have to do more water changes though, just do what it takes to keep the nitrates around 20ppm

Hey Salsa is that the JD ya got from me?


Here is a pic of my FM pair they just spawned, currently I got wigglers

 

[richardhmc]

Ive been told by many people that a pair of dempseys are good in a 55 so i will keep them. I will give them alotta of space to swim in.

Is there anything wrong with my parameters?

 

[richardhmc]

Also, are my fish big enough to breed?

 

[scott28]

Also, are my fish big enough to breed?

I would think so, because i hear reports of them spawning at 3 inches, usually 4 or 5. i think males mature later.

 

[matthew112687]

Is there anything wrong with my parameters?

I would try to keep your Nitrates to under 10.

40 seems a little high.

 

[REDKID!!!]

Hey Richard, best bet would be to trade you JDs for a pair of Firemouths or convicts, either of them would be more suited to a 55 gallon tank. They are cichlids and the breeding habits are similar to JDs so the experience yopu gain could later be used in breeding JDs when ya get that larger tank(BTW how are the grades?).

I see you added crushed coral for your pH, is your tap still at 6.0? If it is keep your water changes to 10% so ya don't shock the fish with a large pH swing. Ofcourse you'll have to do more water changes though, just do what it takes to keep the nitrates around 20ppm

Hey Salsa is that the JD ya got from me?


Here is a pic of my FM pair they just spawned, currently I got wigglers

hwy how big are your FM

 

[Steve737]

IME, Jack Dempseys turn black when stressed. I have 2 males, a 6" and a 4" JD. Whenever I change the water in my 210, the 2 JD's both turn pitch black. When the bigger Dempsey picks on the smaller one, the small one turns itself black as well. Again, just IME.