Swimming with JDs

[duanes]

A message was sent to my profile asking about swimming with JDs, and I don't know how to answer from the profile, so here it is..
There are many cichlids in the Cancun are, for me the best spots were about 30K south near Puerto Aventuras and on down.
The Cenotes where they are found are just off the main highway, often well marked, and easily accessible.
Locals use the Cenotes as swimming holes (especially on weekends) so I prefer going on week days. Each has a staff, some require you to wear a life vest some don't, and have a small entry fee. All were simple and safe. Some will rent you snorkeling gear, I bring my own, and didn't use fins, (they tend to stir thing up. Below are 3 videos
Azul imovie edit
Eden2
Aktun Ha
any questions about them, I will answer on this thread.

 

[tlindsey]

A message was sent to my profile asking about swimming with JDs, and I don't know how to answer from the profile, so here it is..
There are many cichlids in the Cancun are, for me the best spots were about 30K south near Puerto Aventuras and on down.
The Cenotes where they are found are just off the main highway, often well marked, and easily accessible.
Locals use the Cenotes as swimming holes (especially on weekends) so I prefer going on week days. Each has a staff, some require you to wear a life vest some don't, and have a small entry fee. All were simple and safe. Some will rent you snorkeling gear, I bring my own, and didn't use fins, (they tend to stir thing up. Below are 3 videos
Azul imovie edit
Eden2
Aktun Ha
any questions about them, I will answer on this thread.

Thanks Duane it was a new member that I wanted to give him more insight from JD's in the wild.☺ jmf

 

[jmf]

A message was sent to my profile asking about swimming with JDs, and I don't know how to answer from the profile, so here it is..
There are many cichlids in the Cancun are, for me the best spots were about 30K south near Puerto Aventuras and on down.
The Cenotes where they are found are just off the main highway, often well marked, and easily accessible.
Locals use the Cenotes as swimming holes (especially on weekends) so I prefer going on week days. Each has a staff, some require you to wear a life vest some don't, and have a small entry fee. All were simple and safe. Some will rent you snorkeling gear, I bring my own, and didn't use fins, (they tend to stir thing up. Below are 3 videos
Azul imovie edit
Eden2
Aktun Ha
any questions about them, I will answer on this thread.

Hi Duanes,

I think something got confused. Whilst I wish I could swim with my new and very first CA cichlid a beautiful baby JD (still thinking of a name as my cichlids are wet pets, not just fish).

I purchased a baby JD about 2-3" long 3 days ago. I heard they need caves etc because the are shy. My JD refuses to use his caves and is no stop swimming up and down the glass. I have plans to add him to my 75G with my Australian Bass (no relation to Amercian Bass) once he gets bigger so the Bass doesn't try to eat him.

He is eating fine, in fact, he has just discovered bloodworms and loves them lol. Also feeding nls mini pellets. The JD doesn't seem scared of anything, I can put my hand in the tank and just looks at me like "hey dude, do you mind"

I have tested the water and everything is fine, except pH 6.6-6.8 which is a little low for my normal water and nitrates are 10-15ppm.

Is this normal behaviour for JD? He hasn't stopped for 3 days. I have only owned an Oscar (who killed himself, unfortunately, JD is replacing him) and African Shelldwellers.

 

[JakeAlmighty]

Hi Duanes,

I think something got confused. Whilst I wish I could swim with my new and very first CA cichlid a beautiful baby JD (still thinking of a name as my cichlids are wet pets, not just fish).

I purchased a baby JD about 2-3" long 3 days ago. I heard they need caves etc because the are shy. My JD refuses to use his caves and is no stop swimming up and down the glass. I have plans to add him to my 75G with my Australian Bass (no relation to Amercian Bass) once he gets bigger so the Bass doesn't try to eat him.

He is eating fine, in fact, he has just discovered bloodworms and loves them lol. Also feeding nls mini pellets. The JD doesn't seem scared of anything, I can put my hand in the tank and just looks at me like "hey dude, do you mind"

I have tested the water and everything is fine, except pH 6.6-6.8 which is a little low for my normal water and nitrates are 10-15ppm.

Is this normal behaviour for JD? He hasn't stopped for 3 days. I have only owned an Oscar (who killed himself, unfortunately, JD is replacing him) and African Shelldwellers.

take a clear video of his behavior and post it for us to watch.

 

[jmf]

take a clear video of his behavior and post it for us to watch.

Would you believe I tried doing this 3 times and every single time he stopped doing it until I stopped filming then started doing it again lol. I will try again

 

[JakeAlmighty]

Would you believe I tried doing this 3 times and every single time he stopped doing it until I stopped filming then started doing it again lol. I will try again

good luck!

and duanes I already watched all your footage from previous postings, but I'm happily watching it all again. I will have to go snorkeling in CA someday myself!

 

[jmf]

Thanks Duane it was a new member that I wanted to give him more insight from JD's in the wild.☺ jmf

Sorry also meant to add watched all your vids, love them good work. Very jealous

 

[lunsforj]

Those uropythalmus in the first vid have really short bodies. Very interesting

 

[duanes]

They are actually not any shorter than normal, but instead very tall, which seem to make them appear short. The ones I have seen in Florida are more elongate appearing, but no longer.

the photos above and below were taken just north of the Everglades

 

[Gourami Swami]

Snorkeling in the cenotes in mexico was one of my favorite vacations I've ever done, extremely rewarding as a cichlid keeper. Highly recommend it, as always nice videos duane