Took the EBJD Plunge... couple questions.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
FreakIndeed

FreakIndeed

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 14, 2007
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Columbus, OH
I've wanted an EBJD for quite some time now. Saw this little one at the LFS and was $34.99. Couldn't really resist as the last time I saw them at another LFS they were $69.99.

Little Jack is well... little. Only about an inch and a half. I have him/her in a 10 gallon right now with a few cory cats to keep it's attention.

This little thing is a pig. Already expects to eat when I come up to the tank. It will eat as long as I feed it and I'm wondering how much I really should feed it. I'm looking for some good healthy quick growth. Little Jack's staple diet is New Life Spectrum 1mm pellets. I drop two or three in and he eats them up. Then I drop a couple more in and he eats them up. This could go on indefinitely. How much should I let him eat at one time? I also supplement with bloodworms every other day or so and will start on some beefheart and earthworms once he/she obtains a little growth.

How do I know when to progress Little Jack to his/her next bigger tank? Obviously I don't want to stunt any growth. Eventually I want it to go in my 125 gal with my regular female JD and Gold Severum. They are each about 5-6 inches. At what size do you think it's safe to try for Little Jack's introduction to that tank? I was thinking Little Jack needs to be at least half the size of the regular female JD who is very peaceful. I've got a 20 long and a 55 to progress Little Jack to as need be.

Finally, I've attached a pic. I'm sure it's too early to tell, but if you have any gender opinions, I'm welcome to hearing them!!!

Thanks a bunch!

little-jack-1.jpg
 
A little bit several times is better than a lot at one time. You should think about feeding twice or three times per day (initially). What you give should be cleaned up completely in a couple minutes. If anything is left over, then you cut the amount, as ebjds need really clean conditions when they're young.
 
Do 50% water changes 2 times a week until it hits 3 inches, then switch him to the 55 and keep him there until he hits 6" then he'll be good enough to go in that main tank with those other two. Try Hikari Cichlid Bio gold, that is one of the best pellets out there in my opinion in terms of color enhancer/ staple and safe diet for any fish/ excellent growth rates. I use it with all of my fish and have had no deaths so far. Man I sound like I'm promoting them, XP. Lol, but yeah, good luck, hope that fish doesn't die on you.
 
Pricey !!! I can get two 2" at an LFS by my house for $30 !!!


I think I might do so as well :D really been wanting an EBJD, that or a Tilapia buttikofferi / Bleekeri / Polleni
 
To avoid stunting, you have to progress it as soon as possible.

When you notice it's large enough to not get eaten in the next step up, then move it.

A boosted water change schedule will help, but don't expect it to go anywhere too fast.
 
Mystix212;993347; said:
Move it in a bigger tank now. Even though its only 1" or so. A bigger tank will allow for faster grwoth than just a 10G.
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There are variables you have to account for though. If the next step up already has stock in it, the larger fish could potentially stress the ebjd, plus the nitrates will be elevated rather than if the dempsey was alone, thus nullifying the benefits of the larger tank.
 
Cohazard;993400; said:
There are variables you have to account for though. If the next step up already has stock in it, the larger fish could potentially stress the ebjd, plus the nitrates will be elevated rather than if the dempsey was alone, thus nullifying the benefits of the larger tank.
Click to expand...

Exactly my thoughts. The 55 would have a school of seven Penguin Tetras, some cories and a full grown platy. I'm hesitant of putting little EBJD in the tank at this time because he would have to compete for food and the nitrate level that Cohazard mentioned. I'm doing 25% water changes on the 10 gallon every other day and keeping nitrates well under 5ppm with ZERO leftover food. This is why as long as I'm not stunting him I'd like to keep him with as few fish as possible. He could be pretty much by himself in the 20 long though... if you think that would make an immediate difference.
 
FreakIndeed;993486; said:
Exactly my thoughts. The 55 would have a school of seven Penguin Tetras, some cories and a full grown platy. I'm hesitant of putting little EBJD in the tank at this time because he would have to compete for food and the nitrate level that Cohazard mentioned. I'm doing 25% water changes on the 10 gallon every other day and keeping nitrates well under 5ppm with ZERO leftover food. This is why as long as I'm not stunting him I'd like to keep him with as few fish as possible. He could be pretty much by himself in the 20 long though... if you think that would make an immediate difference.
Click to expand...

Well, if that's all you have in the 55g, actually it may be better to put the dempsey in there, as long as it's eating well. I was thinking you might have larger cichlids, or something like that.

What do your nitrates get to in the 55g? What are you WC's like? Shoot for weekly 50% as a minimum.

But that's soo lightly stocked, that I would put the dempsey in the 55g for the extra space it would have to swim.

With my dempsey (currently at about 6.5 to 7" TL), I kept it in a 6g with amano shrimp when it was .5" until it was about 1"

At that point, I put him in a 29g with some rasboras, angelicus loaches, and a trio of platies I think (it was over a year ago).

After he reached about 3", I put him in the 180g with larger fish, i.e. oscars, angels, etc...

He did well and is still doing great. The generall concensus is that once they past that 3" threshold, they're rock solid.

Mine has survived two live worm induced cases of ich, and the salt/heat treatment. I'll never feed live worms in my main tanks again.

HTH
 
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