Proper diet for a JD Cichlid

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Fishlover420

Fishlover420

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Feb 13, 2022
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Illinois
My question is …… what is the best diet and way to feed your JD???
I have been told so many different things.
From Spinach and something aboutraw chicken and gelatinand I’m feeling like I have heard it all I was even told to feed some clear gel and Algae wafers and that’s where I’m lost because this guy wants nothing to do with the veggies ??? Although
I was told that he ate meat ??? Thank you for any help you can provide because I learn more here than any where else!!!!
 
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In nature their food consist mainly of insects and detritus. They also eat amphibians and other fish but these are not their staple food.
They don't eat any mamals or birds. So no meat for them.

I would go for a high quality pellet or flake as main diet and add some insects and greens from time to time. I knew somebody who feed canned peas and oatflakes to his central americans. Even true piscivores like P. splendida and P. dovii went crazy for the peas.
 
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I have spent time watching them in nature.
They are omnivores that eat (as Milingu said) insects (and their larvae) detritus, algae, and the occasional live bearer fry, (although because of the large space they live in, they miss at least 9 out 10 attempts).
Perhaps more important they live in Cenotes, where upwelling of ground water, keeps them in constant water change, and deleterious nutrients like nitrate are nonexistent.
Although (except for algae) aquatic plants are almost non-existitant, the thick surrounding vegetation sends roots into the water which consume nutrients before they have a chance to build up.
above a JD in Cenote Cristanlino attempting to eat (but missing) one of the many live bearers they share habitat with.
Below, pairs guard algae covered territories with areas of about 250 gallons or more when spawning.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=txmi1mng_XQ&t=132s
Even in nature they seem to do best without other competition from other cichlids (like in the Cenote above, video).
Below a video from a smaller Cenote where other cichlids dominate the habitat, and the JDs are a bit torn up.
A pellet aimed at omnivoous cichlids and containing Spirulina and other algae would be my choice (NLS Algaemax, and marine fish pellets containing marine algae are my go to foods)
 
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Mine loves hikari cichlid gold.
I also feed brine shrimp, tubifex, and bloodworms periodically and he loves those too.
I probably should throw some more veggies into there though.
 
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Although it is a smaller pellet/disc my cichlids are going bonkers for Northfin Bug Pro. It even brings out my Rhinodoras and L091 (that I haven't seen in almost 2 years). If I can train them on the 3mm NLS Insectum I would but brining these Cats out is a big deal for me.
 
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Kelly_Aquatics said:
My jd was fed a staple of cichlid pellets and also got a lot of live insects, mostly crickets and mealworms. He also got some seafood like shrimp and tilapia.
Click to expand...
Mine is a krill and shrimp lover and a fan of slow moving fish unfortunately but I got him at 6in so I will be doing my best to provide what he needs at the Moment I am debating whether or not to buy algae pellets
 
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duanes said:
I have spent time watching them in nature.
They are omnivores that eat (as Milingu said) insects (and their larvae) detritus, algae, and the occasional live bearer fry, (although because of the large space they live in, they miss at least 9 out 10 attempts).
Perhaps more important they live in Cenotes, where upwelling of ground water, keeps them in constant water change, and deleterious nutrients like nitrate are nonexistent.
Although (except for algae) aquatic plants are almost non-existitant, the thick surrounding vegetation sends roots into the water which consume nutrients before they have a chance to build up.
above a JD in Cenote Cristanlino attempting to eat (but missing) one of the many live bearers they share habitat with.
Below, pairs guard algae covered territories with areas of about 250 gallons or more when spawning.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=txmi1mng_XQ&t=132s
Even in nature they seem to do best without other competition from other cichlids (like in the Cenote above, video).
Below a video from a smaller Cenote where other cichlids dominate the habitat, and the JDs are a bit torn up.
A pellet aimed at omnivoous cichlids and containing Spirulina and other algae would be my choice (NLS Algaemax, and marine fish pellets containing marine algae are my go to foods)
Click to expand...
I have frozen omnivores blocks and I thawed one for him and he was not very happy with me
 
Deadeye said:
Mine loves hikari cichlid gold.
I also feed brine shrimp, tubifex, and bloodworms periodically and he loves those too.
I probably should throw some more veggies into there though.
Click to expand...
What kind of vegetable do you recommend
 
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