Pale JD

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Getmuddy350

Gambusia
MFK Member
Dec 30, 2005
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Okay guys, a quick question.

I've got two JD's. Both are the same exact age. Unsure of sex, and I can't get a picture of them together.

One is big, fat, and very colorful. Very dark already and bright bright blue. The other is probably 25% smaller, and much lighter in color. It does seem very healthy, very active, just not very attractive.

At times the larger one picks on the little one, bullys it around the tank, but at other times they swing together with no problems.

Could it be that they are the same sex, and are just being competitive? Or would you think the size and color differences are because one is male and one is female.

They are appox. 3" long, and reside in a 125g aquarium with my lil Pike. I know for a fact water quality is not an issue, Ammonia is undetectable, nirtates are under 20 ppm. Plenty of filtration...And no clue.
 
i dont know how to sex these without venting them, but it sounds like a classic case of two males and the dominant one has the coulors, as soon as the smaller one even thinks about colouring up the other male will attack it. while i dont have much knowledge on jack dempseys judging by the name they are 'hella' 'gressive and you may not be able to keep two males in the same tank.
 
I have noticed sometimes fish will show distressed Coloration as a form of 'submission' to show the dominant fish it isn't interested in fighting over territory. I have noticed this most with African Cichlids, but also with S.A. Cichlids. Just a thought.

The other one could be the 'gold' variant of the JD..
 
I agree with danny boy, you might have some issues especially in the long run. If already at 3" you get agression and 25% size diff., then you're in for a ride. The biggest one will probably end up killing the smaller one...I would split them up if I were you.
 
Nawww they were form the same batch of fry. I figured the little one was just being submissive. Its interesting watching them interact. The big one doesn't bother the lil guy if its swimming with him, but as soon as the lil guy tries to go do something else the big one attacks it. No damage yet, mostly just warnings.
 
If it is going to be a problem down the road I have a friend that would take it. But I think being in the larger tank they may be okay once the lil guy packs on some pounds. I just moved them over to the 125 last night, and the aggression is much less than compared to when they were in the 46.

I was hoping they were so different because one was a female...But I see thats probably not the case.
 
my 2" has iredesint scales all over. sometimes he shows off with midnight black coloration and his bloodred lining to his dorsal, but othertimes he is tyhat mottled brown
 
My bigger one is always showing good colors. Always very dark, always very blue. The smaller one almost never shows its blue and is a light brown color.
 
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