[TheNailman]

Hello all,
I have a pair of Jack Dempsey's, whom i bought about a year ago. they grew up and mated once a few months ago. had to move everyone out of the tank while the young were growing, as daddy killed a green phantom pleco, and a firemouth cichlid.
after giving away all the young, i moved momma to a community 55 gallon tank. daddy lives alone in the other 55.

long story short, neither of them look particularly happy. it has been about 2 months like this, and both of them just hide all day in their respective caves, whereas before, they were both happily all over the tank.

is there a way, that i can put them together, yet prevent them from successfully breeding? a temperature change perhaps? i read that they dont breed at cooler temperatures, however they seem much happier in warmer water.

perhaps something that can hold it's own against a pair of 5" Jack's? my sister suggested a Pictus, or a Raphael to gobble up the eggs/fry. . .
my spiny eel does a wonderful job of this in the Ram tank, however he wouldn't last a minute against my jacks.

thanks for any input.





Daddy

Momma

 

[Plant keeper]

The minimum tank size for one Jack Dempsey is 55 gallons, if keeping more then a larger tank will be needed...
http://e0.aqua-fish.net/show.php?h=jackdempseycichlid

 

[TheNailman]

mayhaps when full grown this is true. however, for a pair of 2 year olds with double the needed filtration, they are just fine together in a 55. mating issues aside of course. . .
they will have a much larger tank when they get a bit older.
any input on the mating issue?

 

[Plant keeper]

mayhaps when full grown this is true. however, for a pair of 2 year olds with double the needed filtration, they are just fine together in a 55. mating issues aside of course. . .
they will have a much larger tank when they get a bit older.
any input on the mating issue?

Try a group of Boesemani rainbows...

 

[TheNailman]

Try a group of Boesemani rainbows...

Really? are they hearty enough to withstand the adorable fury of the female jack? and are they daring enough to invade the jacks' cave, to get the delicious eggs?

i have always liked the looks of the rainbows, but never gave them a consideration for this purpose. . .

 

[Plant keeper]

Really? are they hearty enough to withstand the adorable fury of the female jack? and are they daring enough to invade the jacks' cave, to get the delicious eggs?

i have always liked the looks of the rainbows, but never gave them a consideration for this purpose. . .

If not them get 1 Texas cichlid it would keep them from breeding...

 

[TheNailman]

how so? would he just act as a nuisance? i would really like to avoid another cichlid. .. any input on the catfish idea?

 

[Plant keeper]

how so? would he just act as a nuisance? i would really like to avoid another cichlid. .. any input on the catfish idea?

Get a pleco but make sure he doesn't get hurt...

 

[TheNailman]

Get a pleco but make sure he doesn't get hurt...

yea.. . we had a beautiful L200, in that tank. about 3" long. and daddy killed him right before the eggs hatched. i would like to avoid getting another large pleco. ... and i think that's what it will take to be safe from the jacks.

 

[Plant keeper]

yea.. . we had a beautiful L200, in that tank. about 3" long. and daddy killed him right before the eggs hatched. i would like to avoid getting another large pleco. ... and i think that's what it will take to be safe from the jacks.

if u don't want them to breed just kept 1 Jack Dempsey... if the male killed a pleco the any other catfish won't work...

 

[TheNailman]

well, i figured a catfish would be a little "quicker on its feet" than another pleco. my sis has one in her oscar / dempsey tank, and it seems healthy as can be. truth be told however, there are no breeding pairs in her tank. . . just single fish.

as for not wanting them to breed, thats kinda what this whole riddle is about. finding a living situation that people might be aware of, that prohibits the eggs from reaching hatching stage. either by getting eaten, or by some other means.
maybe i will drop my gf's bc in there. . .. :tongue:

ps: how many corys are you keeping? (noticed your sig. . )

if u don't want them to breed just kept 1 Jack Dempsey... if the male killed a pleco the any other catfish won't work...

 

[Plant keeper]

well, i figured a catfish would be a little "quicker on its feet" than another pleco. my sis has one in her oscar / dempsey tank, and it seems healthy as can be. truth be told however, there are no breeding pairs in her tank. . . just single fish.

as for not wanting them to breed, thats kinda what this whole riddle is about. finding a living situation that people might be aware of, that prohibits the eggs from reaching hatching stage. either by getting eaten, or by some other means.
maybe i will drop my gf's bc in there. . .. :tongue:

ps: how many corys are you keeping? (noticed your sig. . )

I am keeping 4 and what kind of catfish?

 

[TheNailman]

some sort of Pictus, or a Raphael.

same here. 4 emeralds. little goofballs.. .

 

[Plant keeper]

some sort of Pictus, or a Raphael.

same here. 4 emeralds. little goofballs.. .

ok i would do 2 pictus..