Using Jack Dempsey's as dithers/fillers?

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

BuffaloPolypteridae

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 5, 2013
3,011
7
0
Buffalo
I've always liked JDs, had one a while back with my Senegal and ctenopoma in high school, but have been hesitant to add one because some cichlids territorial aggression is kinda crazy. With stocking like mine (juvi dat, pbass, adult leopard cten, multiple bichirs, gymno balzani, big red wolf) would they be good to distract my dat and pbass from messing with each other? They fight, and I know ITs and Orinos are considered kinda mean for their specie nothing crazy but I don't want it to excite my wolf and have it go after one of them

This is where a JD would come in, to distract. I know some cichlid-heads won't like this but I don't want to go the typical silver $ dither route and JDs are common and colorful

Sent from my DROID4 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
JD's don't seem to match the temperament for dithers. Though I'm not entirely sure that's what you're looking for. You seem to be wanting an agression buffer whereas dithers are typically used to coax timid fish out of their hiding places.
 
I'm thinking the jds might fight with pbass or any other cichlids. Jds can be downright mean on occasion.they don't fit the bill of a dither

Sent from my VS840 4G
 
I don't think you should add them. You only have a 70g. You're nicely stocked now but many of your fish will crowd it up soon enough especially with jds who get to a decent size quick .
I'd wait for your upgrade. Plus they wouldn't be dither but probably join the fight unless super small but then they'll probably be food!

Sent from my HTC One using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
Your lack of space is why I say it should not be done. But I do think you may have the right idea if you had the space. A little while ago I took a pike cichlid and a severum out of my tank leaving the dat as the only somewhat aggressive fish. The dat began chasing my flagtail relentlessly to the point of me putting the dat in a 'time out' tank until I could figure out what to do. I traded the flagtail out for an Oscar. The Oscar started really chasing the clown loaches. I put the dat back in the main tank and now the Oscar and the dat both leave everyone else alone for the most part. From what I experienced, adding another fish that can match the trouble maker's attitude worked for me.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
A 70 gal is barely big enough for the bicher, ctenopoma and the Gymno, and the Gymno is a cool water fish so I find the combination a little odd.
If you had a 200 gal plus maybe adding JDs would be interesting, but a 70 is little more than a puddle.
 
slippery slimecoat said:
Your lack of space is why I say it should not be done. But I do think you may have the right idea if you had the space. A little while ago I took a pike cichlid and a severum out of my tank leaving the dat as the only somewhat aggressive fish. The dat began chasing my flagtail relentlessly to the point of me putting the dat in a 'time out' tank until I could figure out what to do. I traded the flagtail out for an Oscar. The Oscar started really chasing the clown loaches. I put the dat back in the main tank and now the Oscar and the dat both leave everyone else alone for the most part. From what I experienced, adding another fish that can match the trouble maker's attitude worked for me.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Click to expand...

That's why I posted a thread here, to feel out peoples experiences with JDs, so far it doesn't look good for what I need

duanes said:
A 70 gal is barely big enough for the bicher, ctenopoma and the Gymno, and the Gymno is a cool water fish so I find the combination a little odd.
If you had a 200 gal plus maybe adding JDs would be interesting, but a 70 is little more than a puddle.
Click to expand...

Supposedly the gymno is of a southerly location of Brazil, so far its grown up quite fine (I do know some gymnos require cool off periods, but supposedly mine doesn't by what my LFS manager told me) he isn't particularly aggressive or stressed, and doesn't usually join in the fights. Got him at 1.5 inch now he's around 4-4.5 inch and developing a little hump in just about 3 months

Also I've already began gathering materials for a 6x2x2 build, it'll be around 200 ga and done by early spring, so it will be habitable for fish by summer. My big guys will be in there till I move out, then Im planning on at least a 350 ga in my living room. I've consulted lot people about my plan and nobody sees issues with it. Space won't be an issue then, I'll have the 70, my 30, and my 10 all going on top of the 6 footer. My biggest fish is the ornate right now at 7.5-8 inch I'd guess (I don't like to take fish out to measure, unless its dead so I can note it down in my log) and they all go down from there with the smallest probably being the IT dat at 3.5-4 inch. So space isn't an issue right now even in the 70


Sent from my DROID4 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom