Male & Female Jack Dempsey

[Mrs. Nicky]

So it's been a little over two months since my male and female jack dempsey have been together. The first week I introduced the female to my 60 gallon the male followed her around showing off for her. After about two weeks he started to chase her and she would run and hide from him. Now I'm sure he is trying to kill her. He tries to ram her into the walls but she is too fast for him. Sometimes he will swim peacefully near her but most of the time he is trying to ram or bite her. She is always very colorless and stressed out. I am sure she is a female due to her appearance but I'm not sure why they are not bonding. I now have temporary dithers in the tank and there is still no change in how he treats her, except now he also tries to kill a few of the dithers as well. I have also taken him out of the tank for a few days then I reintroduced him after switching the decorations around. When first reintroduced he followed her around showing off then he was right back to trying to kill her. Is there anything else I can try before I separate them for good? If the pair don't work then I will try the male alone with some type of school.

Sent from my SCH-R970C using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[ragin_cajun]

Try a divider? Bigger tank maybe? Maybe a cave that only she can get into but he can't fit?


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[Mrs. Nicky]

Ok I will try a cave. She is about two inches smaller then the male. I wonder if he is aggressive towards her because she is not ready to mate and maybe he is.

Sent from my SCH-R970C using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[jagsandpits]

try another fish dempseys suck lol no offense

 

[Crazy mike]

Ok I will try a cave. She is about two inches smaller then the male. I wonder if he is aggressive towards her because she is not ready to mate and maybe he is.

Sent from my SCH-R970C using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

That's usually the case, I'd add a bunch of bolt holes for her.


Sent from my iPod touch using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[fwprawn]

If you have another tank - put the male in it; let the female own her own tank for a while - get her fattened up, then after maybe 2-4 weeks, re-introduce them (with many small hiding places for her) and see what happens. This is the old-school, proven method for this kind of situation.
Got any pics?