Problems With Jack Dempsey

[DawnMichele]

Hi everyone. I ordered some Metronidazole & garlic sticks from Kens fish food. Hopefully that will help him. Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.

 

[DawnMichele]

Hi everyone. I received the food today and he spit it out. Is there anything else I can do for him?

 

[kno4te]

Hi everyone. I received the food today and he spit it out. Is there anything else I can do for him?

Keep retrying. Can try soaking in some bloodworm juice.

 

[DawnMichele]

Keep retrying. Can try soaking in some bloodworm juice.

Ok. I will keep trying. Thank you.

 

[duanes]

I have a theory that when about 50% of fish (cichlids are my main interest so my basis)) are isolated from breeding (or attempting to breed) that once at the end of its reproductive usefulness, its body, and immune system, naturally start to deteriorate.
I have watched old jack dempseys in nature become isolated and picked on by more robust males, into less than optimum or desirable territories, and become obviously unhealthy, and thus, unable to attract mates..
Probably less common a problem in aquariums, because our fish are often pampered, but once the purpose of life (procreation) has been relinquished, what's left?
Put yourself in its place.

 

[DawnMichele]

I have a theory that when about 50% of fish (cichlids are my main interest so my basis)) are isolated from breeding (or attempting to breed) that once at the end of its reproductive usefulness, its body, and immune system, naturally start to deteriorate.
I have watched old jack dempseys in nature become isolated and picked on by more robust males, into less than optimum or desirable territories, and become obviously unhealthy, and thus, unable to attract mates..
Probably less common a problem in aquariums, because our fish are often pampered, but once the purpose of life (procreation) has been relinquished, what's left?
Put yourself in its place.

I never thought about that. I feel horrible. Is there anything I can do?

 

[tlindsey]

I never thought about that. I feel horrible. Is there anything I can do?

Don't feel horrible you have been giving great care to the Jack Dempsey. I've had fish that aged and I knew the end was near but cared for them to that time.

 

[Rocksor]

I never thought about that. I feel horrible. Is there anything I can do?

Reduce feeding for starters, like once a week for his normal portion size. Or reduce feeding to every 3 days of a much smaller portion than you normal feed it, using NLS algaemax. I believe duanes has observed them in the wild where they naturally graze algae most of the day and are only successful at eating mollies 1 out of 10 attempts. I would presume that's a JD in its prime

 

[DawnMichele]

Reduce feeding for starters, like once a week for his normal portion size. Or reduce feeding to every 3 days of a much smaller portion than you normal feed it, using NLS algaemax. I believe duanes has observed them in the wild where they naturally graze algae most of the day and are only successful at eating mollies 1 out of 10 attempts. I would presume that's a JD in its prime

Thank you. I will order some of that today.

 

[DawnMichele]

Don't feel horrible you have been giving great care to the Jack Dempsey. I've had fish that aged and I knew the end was near but cared for them to that time.

Thanks for that. I appreciate it. You ALWAYS wish that you can do more for them. He's been a GREAT fish!!!