After three days, the eggs hatch. Ensure that their water moves decently, but not too rapidly. 2 0. If you plan on keeping more fish, an increase in tank size is a must. These sassy cichlids have a lifespan between 8-15 years. You can find processed fish foods designed with carnivores in mind. Jack Dempsey fish are sexually dimorphic, with males growing larger than females. Jack Dempsey fish frequent streams with slightly soft, acidic waters. Each fish needs a cave to call their own, with plenty of space around it. Jack Dempsey fish stick to the carnivore side of the menu, so they won’t eat the plants in the tank, but their digging can uproot anything you try to use. They need careful management for their aggressive streak, but that much beauty is worth it. Cichlids are opportunistic feeders, and they have no problem snatching up your freshwater shrimp or snails. A good rule of thumb when determining an appropriate size tank for larger cichlids is 1.5x the fish's length for the width of the tank and 4x the fish for the length of the tank. So when you upgrade that tank, the JD can have the 55 to himself and grow to full size. They max out at 7-8 inches. Jack Dempsey Fish Tank Requirements. You can ease this flighty panic by introducing your Jack Dempseys into a community aquarium with established dither fish. So check the fins, size, and then do a spot count. Jack Dempseys tolerate bogs, irrigation ditches, and streams. Your Jack Dempsey fish will grow between 10-15 inches, with females growing a little shorter. Keep a close eye on your water quality. Many aquarists think the nasty streak Jack Dempsey fish are known for means they can’t fit into community aquariums. Kingdom: Animalia 2. Rough purchase size 4-5cm The Jack Dempsey is a popular freshwater fish that originates in the murky warm waters of Central America. Fishtankadvisor.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Ian. They get BIG. Therefore a standard 50G tank(36x18) can house up to a 9" fish alone or with a few tank mates that will not get in its way. That might lead them to buy 10 or 20-gallon tanks; but once these fish grow, they will struggle to survive as they don’t have enough space in their tanks. The female then lays up to 500 eggs on the surface. Of course, if you want one of the rarer color variations out there, you’ll have to pay more. Get someone to draw a cichlid, or simply describe one, and he or she will probably get close to a Jack Dempsey: large, thick-set, big eater and too boisterous and predatory for the average community tank. After all, in the wild, they tolerate high water temperatures and low oxygen levels. Dither fish are schooling species that show nervous fish everything’s okay – maintaining normal activity levels. Their colors, under stress, change. Jack Dempsey Habitat and Tank Conditions Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE) crops up whenever poor nutrition happens. If you’re only looking to add one Jack Dempsey fish (perhaps as a centerpiece), an 80-gallon or 300 l tank will do the trick. You shouldn’t expect to see that in your tank, though. Share your stories and questions with us here! And, crazy as it sounds, the more fish you stock into your tank, the better off everyone will be. Jack Dempseys will pursue and kill other fish once they’ve paired off and settled down to mate. Waiting until your fish naturally pair off together prevents that damage. Your Jack Dempseys won’t bully anyone if they aren’t the biggest fish in the pond (so to speak). And they aren’t picky about where that protein comes from. Jack Dempsey cichlids are an aggressive species of fish that needs plenty of territory. Sand will settle back out when your Jack Dempsey finishes digging. When they are juvenile, they can be only 2-3 inches in size, which might mislead some fish owners, especially beginners. If you get a little warmer, they won’t mind, but don’t forget the other fish in the tank. Originally, Jack Dempsey fish inhabited shallow, slow-moving waters in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. A filter will serve this purpose nicely. Two or three adults would be happy with a tank that holds from 55 to 150 gallons. If you’ve done all of your work correctly, though, you may or may not notice this as readily as the other cues. You’ll see pits forming on your Jack Dempsey’s head. This will ensure that you have different bloodlines. Jack Dempsey fish males reach a larger size than females. Whether you decide to make homemade fish food or chop and add veggies now and then, a dose of greens still matters: Breeding Jack Dempsey fish requires a separate breeding tank and patience. 11 Perfectly Quiet Wave Makers for Great Water Flow, Introduction to Aquarium Fertilization Products, Reverse Osmosis Deionization: 5 Top Rated Filtration Units, Natural pH Control in a Freshwater Aquarium: a Practical Beginners Guide, A Comprehensive Guide to Finding the Right Chiller for Your Aquarium, Protein Skimmer: Ultimate Buying Guide plus 11 Reviews. They’re also the best options when you’re getting fish ready for breeding: And just because they prefer the meaty side of things doesn’t mean you should neglect their servings of vegetables. They also sport a brighter coloration, though that may get difficult to see during spawning season (more on that in a minute). There's plenty of other Central & South American Cichlids to choose from. A 50 gallon would still be too small. Since Jack Dempseys like slow-moving waters, you won’t need any pumps. You shouldn’t expect to see that in your tank, though. In captivity, a more reasonable expectation is to see your male Jack Dempseys around that 10-inch (25 cm) mark, with females smaller at 8 inches (20 cm). When breeding, these colors will intensify. Youd be hard pressed to find a male dempsey in the hobby over 10" or a female beyond 8" to be honest. Fun fact: Jack Dempseys change color throughout their lives. However, getting to see two fish working together to raise their fry is a unique experience. 1. Fans of South American cichlids know and love Jack Dempsey fish (Rocio octofasciata). they are in a 55 gallon fish tank alone with sand substrate is this okay? Morphology. (A separate breeding tank is MANDATORY!). Genus: Rocio 8. In the wild, males top out around 15 inches (38 cm), and the females get approximately 10 inches (25 cm). Get a Big Tank. Max a captive male can get is about 12 inches females are about max a captive females is 10 a wild for both genders is about 2 more inches. Fish Lore's aquarium forum - aquarium hobbyists helping hobbyists since 2005! If the tank is very large (100 or more) you can keep a couple of adults. There’s something so striking about those dancing patterns across the sides and gill covers. Which means a JD could be totally fine in your tank...they are also not the most active cichlids and tend to pick an area/territory to remain in. Tank measurements. In the wild, Jack Dempseys stick to slow-moving streams and rivers. Decorating cichlid aquariums always presents a challenge. Smaller than the standard Jack Dempsey, this fish has iridescent blue scales. Youd be hard pressed to find a male dempsey in the hobby over 10" or a female beyond 8" to be honest. Your best bet for harmony is to choose fish of a similar size and attitude. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Watch for aggressiveness and remove or use an aquarium divider if necessary. If you are planning to have only one Jack Dempsey, you will need a tank that can hold 55-60 gallons. You CANNOT leave them in the community tank, or you’ll end up with utter devastation. Jack Dempsey fish are sexually dimorphic, with males growing larger than females. Jack Dempsey fish have a sturdy reputation. A heater is essential to maintain a water temperature between 72 and 86 degrees. It has a base color of dark brown to gray, and displays many iridescent blue and green spots, giving this fish a spectacular look. And make sure there are flat stones at the bottom of the tank – your Jack Dempseys need them for an egg-laying site! So, they need a tank that’s at least 80 gallons. His ruthless reputation and profile struck a chord with biologists, and they passed the name onto the fish. Omega One Cichlid Pellets and Fluval Bug Bites Cichlid Formula cater to a high-protein diet, and Jack Dempseys don’t mind chowing down on these large chunks. Both of them then set to work digging pits in the nearby sand. Just choose one that only grows to 6 or 7 inches max. Make sure you stay on top of your water changes. These fish can grow up to 25 cm (10 inches) in length, so it is recommended to keep a single specimen in a rather larger tank - ideally 100 US gallons (378 liters / 83 imperial gallons) per adult fish. Tank Mates : Try to keep them with fish of similar temperament (other Central American Cichlids). Begin with at least a 55-gallon tropical freshwater tank. Do you have Jack Dempseys? So while that hefty tank needs a matching filter, you don’t want to overdo the outflow. what my question is how do i breed them? Both parents guard the young over the next ten days. Of course, males have that more aggressive streak. Your Jack Dempseys will end up with TOO MANY options to pick a fight. Aquarium Size : 55 gallon minimum for one Jack Dempsey, much larger for multiples. They will attack and harass tank mates that are smaller or try to eat them. Jack Dempsey fish may have taken their name from a heavyweight boxer, but they’ve earned their place in aquarium popularity from their gorgeous color patterns. As juveniles, they’re grey; adults take on gorgeous hues; spawners go almost black. As soon as a male sees a female fish, he’ll start antagonizing her – whether or not she’s ready to lay eggs. Jack dempsey Fish Tank Size. The average size of a Jack Dempsey in adulthood can be 10-15 inches at most. The pair catch the fry and usher them to the sandpits. Two means increasing to a 100-gallon (400 l) tank. JavaScript is disabled. If you only keep one in a tank, you’ll keep bullying problems to a minimum. Species: R. octofasciata These carnivores can’t resist an easy-to-catch snack. Jack Dempsey fish fall squarely on the carnivore side of the menu. Usually, The Jack Dempsey fish can reach a length of up to 10-15 inches. And while it’s popular to mix invertebrates into tanks these days, they don’t work well with Jack Dempseys! Each lesion is a potential source for infection to invade. Remember their wild cousins live in slow-moving, tropical waters, such as canals, lakes, murky rivers and swamps. When first added to a new tank, Jack Dempseys often scatter to caves and into plants – even if you bring home a group. A Silent & Reliable Canister Filter: Which Brand to Trust? This will accommodate one Jack Dempsey. Fixing the diet will resolve the problem, as will checking to make sure your water quality hasn’t slipped. Fish run around $5 – $10, on average. The dorsal and anal fins are longer in size and come to sharper points. But skip “cichlid sands.” They contain aragonite – a form of calcium carbonite. And you’re still better off keeping one male in a group of females to maintain the peace. If you’re a fan of Jack Dempseys but leery of that aggressive streak – and you have money saved up – the electric blue variety may be up your aisle. Minimum Tank Size 55 gallons Compatibility View Chart. I would recommend a tank of at least 6 feet for a. I would recommend a tank of at least 6 feet for a JD. Common name:Jack dempsy Scientific name: Rocio Octofasciatum Family: Cichlidae Origin: Central America Max Size: 9" Temp:72-78 F. Care: The Dempsey is definitely not for the community tank.While they may be kept with other fish of similar size, the Dempsey is best kept in a species tank. The male grows larger as compared to females. This particular variety has a less aggressive reputation than its larger cousin. You also need to keep an eye out for two skin flukes: The flukes use an adapted mouth part to attach to the skin and gill cover of your Jack Dempsey. Common Name: Electric Blue Jack Dempsey Max Size: 12″ pH: 6.0-8.0 Hardness: Hard Temperature: 70-82° Aggressiveness: Aggressive Region of Origin: Central America Captive Bred or Wild: Captive Bred Diet: Flake or pellet, frozen and live food Compatibility: Alone, in pairs, or with similarly sized Central or South American cichlids Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons However, make sure you incorporate some live, frozen, or freeze-dried protein options into the mix. 10 years ago. Ok. This variety is slightly smaller and less aggressive. These non-American populations arose from escapees (intentional or otherwise). There pretty fish it's just I dont like the electric blues. The stress will result in your fish showing paler colors – your head’s up that there’s a problem. What are the characteristics that you like about JD's? Jack Dempsey fish is native to Central America Atlantic hillsid… The Jack Dempsey is a popular freshwater fish that originates in the murky warm waters of Central America. 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