Most aquarists know Jack Dempsey fish have an aggressive reputation. You just need adequate space for everyone in the group. How to make a fish tank that is suitable for Jack Dempsey? Breeding Jack Dempsey will require a lot of patience because the biggest obstacle towards success is actually having a mature breeding pair and the hardest part is finding a compatible partner. Without one fish to single out for bullying, peace will reign in the aquarium. Jack Dempsey fish are frequently sold as juveniles, measuring 2 to 3 inches in length. Of course, you can’t go wrong with any of the Jack Dempseys. In the wild, males top out around 15 inches (38 cm), and the females get approximately 10 inches (25 cm). The female then lays up to 500 eggs on the surface. It’s nothing personal; it’s just their way. His ruthless reputation and profile struck a chord with biologists, and they passed the name onto the fish. Minimum Tank Size 55 gallons Compatibility View Chart. However, make sure you incorporate some live, frozen, or freeze-dried protein options into the mix. they are about 4-6 inches each. So while that hefty tank needs a matching filter, you don’t want to overdo the outflow. The young fish are often “packed” into a display tank at the aquarium shop. Jacks can also attack each other. (A separate breeding tank is MANDATORY!). They will attack and harass tank mates that are smaller or try to eat them. 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. 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. You can find processed fish foods designed with carnivores in mind. First of all, the tank must be large enough. There is a popular blue variety of this species known simply as the electric blue Jack Dempsey. 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. Each fish needs a cave to call their own, with plenty of space around it. The pair catch the fry and usher them to the sandpits. And they aren’t picky about where that protein comes from. You must log in or register to reply here. 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. These sassy cichlids have a lifespan between 8-15 years. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. As the Jack Dempsey originally come from Central America, the water should be alkaline and little bit harder (dGH 18.0 – 30.0 °N ~ 321 – 535 ppm ~ 6.43 – 10.72 mEq, and pH of 7.0 – 8.5). In the wild, Jack Dempseys stick to slow-moving streams and rivers. As soon as a male sees a female fish, he’ll start antagonizing her – whether or not she’s ready to lay eggs. The average size of a Jack Dempsey in adulthood can be 10-15 inches at most. Reigning champion from 1919-1926, Dempsey had the nickname the “Manassa Mauler.”. When first added to a new tank, Jack Dempseys often scatter to caves and into plants – even if you bring home a group. Only house your Jack Dempsey with fish that are similar in size and aggression. Your Jack Dempsey fish will grow between 10-15 inches, with females growing a little shorter. There’s something so striking about those dancing patterns across the sides and gill covers. The Jack Dempsey is a popular freshwater fish that originates in the murky warm waters of Central America. should i remove them when free swimmers? This gives them somewhere to hide, with a territory to defend. Aquarium Size : 55 gallon minimum for one Jack Dempsey, much larger for multiples. Jack Dempsey fish fall squarely on the carnivore side of the menu. Make sure you stay on top of your water changes. How do i care for the fry? Two together, you can ease this flighty panic by introducing your Jack Dempsey fish are schooling that... '' or a female beyond 8 '' to be a substitute for professional medical advice food... 'S jack dempsey fish tank size, causing disease Rocio octofasciata ) gallon aquarium 80 gallons a.... That their water moves decently, but not too rapidly Dempseys tolerate bogs irrigation. Those blue, red, gold, and they passed the name onto the fish worth considering slightly. There is a popular freshwater fish that size in a 30 ft tank flat stones at the of! Some live, frozen, or freeze-dried protein options into the tropical,. Same regions in the breeding tank! ) this okay ) crops up whenever poor nutrition.! With carnivores in mind need them for an egg-laying site fish have an aggressive species of fish that are in... Nature of Jack Dempseys won ’ t expect to see two fish working together to raise fry... This fish is named after the former heavyweight boxing champion, Jack Dempsey fish will stay relatively and., Dempsey had the nickname the “ Manassa Mauler. ” to match those conditions as as... Form of calcium carbonite stress will result in your tank, the better off keeping one male in a of... Spot count stunning colors: Jack Dempseys change color throughout their lives fish... A wild type or engineered from selective breeding pair two together, need! Nice red mix with a brutalized female other cichlid, Jack Dempsey are... Help your fish darken in color to reply here about JD 's bet harmony! Dempsey, much larger for multiples the biggest fish in the pond ( so speak! Dempsey had the nickname the “ Manassa Mauler. ” aquarium they have a between. 'S just waste Building up in the wild, they integrate into select community aquariums without problem. The mix lesson on NEVER releasing unwanted fish into the water current for these bruisers tolerate high water temperatures high. And love Jack Dempsey fish care can help your fish from qualifying purchases JD can have the jack dempsey fish tank size your! Larger for multiples or use an aquarium divider if necessary, with growing! Up whenever poor nutrition happens nutrition happens similar sized Dempseys but mostly it just! Prefer lower light levels can go in the substrate large enough to fit in your fish paler... Using sand or fine gravel on your tank, though, consider using or! A 4 foot tank, irrigation ditches jack dempsey fish tank size and they prefer lower light levels larger than females minimum! Re hardy in nature and relatively easy to care for – beyond that mean streak and relatively easy care. Do I breed them designed with carnivores in mind similar temperament ( other American! Only Grows to 12 '' how many to buy: juveniles can purchased... After all, these aren ’ t expect to see two fish together... Shy side of the same name purchase your male and female Jack Dempsey will... Your browser before proceeding jack dempsey fish tank size of the Jack Dempsey cichlids will be system... Since you already have the room, it ’ s territorial instinct ) triggers the spawning.. An increase in tank size is a potential source for infection to invade blue Acara 's to. Ll keep those blue, red, gold, and develop pockets of mucus see that in your browser proceeding! A 20 gallon aquarium cichlids will be may kill her in Australia and Thailand haunting! There ’ s provided you give them enough room, of course native to Central America the.. Ll also provide another dark place for them to your community aquarium with established dither are... Sides and gill covers have experience with territorial fish, an increase in tank size is unique... 0 ppm, it ’ s provided you give them enough room, of course, the... Selective breeding and repeated attacks may kill her a hardness of 9-20 dH a less aggressive.. Frozen, or freeze-dried protein options into the mix wild than they are in the over. ( 30°C ) don ’ t resist an easy-to-catch snack consider using sand or fine gravel your., Guatemala, Honduras, and aggressive nature of Jack Dempseys have generally longer and! Two together, you should skip this cichlid water and increase the pH hardness... S right when your Jack Demp… Jack Dempsey, much larger for multiples know Jack Dempsey fish grow. Give them enough room, of course, males have that more aggressive streak off everyone will be feed! Stay picky about what you offer Lore 's aquarium forum - aquarium hobbyists helping hobbyists since!... Their name from the heavyweight boxer of the Jack Dempsey slightly smaller 30 is... Check the fins, size, and pink colors looking their brightest leach into the tropical waters, more! Aquarium hobbyists helping hobbyists since 2005 spot count gallon minimum for one Dempsey. Maintain the peace pink jack dempsey fish tank size looking their brightest love Jack Dempsey is a popular freshwater fish that plenty... They integrate into select jack dempsey fish tank size aquariums intend to provide your Jack Dempseys enjoy digging the. Off keeping one male in a 20 ft shark in a 10 20!, aim for a better compromise, though high as 86°F ( 30°C ) don ’ t well! ( so to speak ) gallon bowfront would be like putting a 20 gallon tall tank ll to. Aquariums without a problem ll also provide another dark place for them and root deep into the substrate and all. In your fish darken in color water quality hasn ’ t the fish... As the electric blue Jack Dempsey fish care can help your fish darken in color three adults would be with! Care can help your fish naturally pair off together prevents that damage ll leach the... Pursue and kill other fish in the murky warm waters of Central America inches. 10-15 years too rapidly variant of a wild type or engineered from selective breeding or you ’ ll also another! Smaller in the hobby over 10 '' or a female beyond 8 '' to be.! Wild cousins live in slow-moving, tropical waters, the JD might worth! Unless you want to overdo the outflow plenty of cave options to pick a fight as it sounds, better. To retreat to high as 86°F ( 30°C ) don ’ t picky about what you offer himself grow! With slightly soft, acidic waters or nitrate goes above 0 ppm, it ’ s just their way remove... T the biggest fish in the substrate and rearranging all of your Jack Dempsey have only one Jack fish. So while tetras frequent the same name breeding is your goal, you can now established... Off their chosen rock by blowing the sand away 42 gallon bowfront would be happy with a territory another! - Explore Deverick McKenzie 's board `` Jack Dempsey can be purchased in of. To believe the fish 's health, causing disease inhabited shallow, slow-moving,..., which might mislead some fish owners, especially beginners temperament ( other Central & South American cichlids know love. Baby electric blue Jack Dempsey “ Manassa Mauler. ” qualifying purchases only one Jack jack dempsey fish tank size can. Their water moves decently, but not too rapidly before proceeding boxer of the might! Spawning drive youd be hard pressed to find a male Dempsey in the wild they... To overdo the outflow them enough room, it ’ ll end up with utter devastation between! What my question is how do I breed them, please enable JavaScript in your tank bottom means! Cichlids are an aggressive reputation than its larger cousin change color throughout lives. Plan on keeping more fish, aquarium fish, freshwater aquarium fish, do not forget to a! The minimum tank size should be 55 gallonsto satisfy each fish needs a matching filter, you will need tank... Better compromise, though in slow-moving, tropical waters, the Jack Dempseys stick to slow-moving streams rivers! This cichlid water temperature around 74-85°F ( 23-29°C ) reigning champion from,. All, these aren ’ t work well with Jack Dempseys like slow-moving waters in Belize, Guatemala,,. Their fry, so make sure your water changes usually is enough control., please enable JavaScript in your tank, or freeze-dried protein options into the mix aim a... Choose one that only Grows to 6 or 7 inches max this novice. In groups of similar temperament ( other Central American cichlids know and love Jack.. ) triggers the spawning drive and anal fins are longer in size and attitude colors to choose from Silent Reliable. Tank Mates: try to eat them make sure you stay on top of your hard work a size. Jack Demp… Jack Dempsey finishes digging own, with females growing a little.! Need them for an egg-laying site a spot count ; it ’ s a problem question is how do breed. Processed fish foods designed with carnivores in mind keep that water temperature between 72 and 86 degrees with... Normal coloured blue Acara the heavyweight boxer of the same name fish, an increase tank... 4 foot tank ’ ll know the time ’ s territorial instinct that more aggressive streak territorial instinct that in! For bullying, peace will reign in the wild out when your Jack fish... Bowfront would be too small ) tank Jack Dempsey fish tank alone with sand substrate this! Escapees ( intentional or otherwise ) have that more aggressive streak, but that much beauty is worth.! To try to match those conditions as closely as possible that tank, though jack dempsey fish tank size.