View Full Version : My jack dempsey is finally starting to act normal
ROLLIN
06-03-2003, 2:02 PM
As some of you know, I got my jack dempsey last summer (june or july I think). When I first got it, it would swim all over, eat anything (and from the top), etc. But then after it hit about 5 - 6 inches it hid almost 24 - 7. It wouldnt eat anything except flakes, and would only eat them from the tank floor, or floating in the water. Over the last few days, the fish has changed dramatically. It swims all over, eats from the top again, doesnt seem to like its tank mates as much anymore (the blue gourami is going to be moved, the dempsey doesnt bite it, but it chases and Im afraid biting will be next). It has flared at the pleco a few times and turns alot darker when it gets "mad", it also bit the pleco once when the pleco was moving on it (I wouldnt want to get moved on either, but I hope the biting doesnt continue). Ive also noticed it grabbing plastic plants in its mouth and shoving them around, today it grabbed one and rammed it into the side of the tank. Im glad its starting to act like a normal jack dempsey, although now I will have to be careful about what fish I put it with it. Its about 6.5 inches (maybe a tad less) now. :)
lol mine has done the same thing so far. So this is what I get to look forward too huh :p. Oh boy
ROLLIN
06-03-2003, 3:37 PM
Ive read that alot of them go through the "hiding all day and barely eating" stage. How big is yours and what size tank is it in?
I have mine in a 55 with a pleco and she is 4 inchs right now
ROLLIN
06-03-2003, 4:00 PM
I was tempted to trade it in a few times for something else, Im glad I didnt. :)
yeah I knew all of their stages before hand so I have kinda been expecting it. As I type this she is at the surface eating though, She's been coming out alot more lately.
DarthV
06-03-2003, 5:37 PM
You should get some pics up. I'm still trying to think of a fish that would go ok with my GT and con when I get a 90gal... a JD might be the fish! Where did you get the JD ?
Everytime I try to get a pic of her she darts back into her rock/slate cave. I'll keep tryin an hopefully snag one of her when she isn't noticing my movement.
ROLLIN
06-03-2003, 7:28 PM
Originally posted by DarthV
You should get some pics up. I'm still trying to think of a fish that would go ok with my GT and con when I get a 90gal... a JD might be the fish! Where did you get the JD ?
I'll try for some pics, I'll have to borrow a camera first. I got it at pet kingdom in the brookside mall.
Originally posted by DarthV
You should get some pics up. I'm still trying to think of a fish that would go ok with my GT and con when I get a 90gal... a JD might be the fish! Where did you get the JD ?
A green terror and a jack in a 90 gallon?? You sure about that?
DarthV
06-04-2003, 7:19 AM
The GT's in the hobby nowadays aren't the original species that earned the name. My GT is living peacefully with my new convict... a little bit of chasing around...that's about it. I'm trying to figure out what to put into an eventual 90gal setup with the con and GT... species that have caught my are: oscar, JD, texas, nicks and argentae.
Finally jd owners come out .Mine acts the same way. As long as the lights are out she swims around but as soon as the lights come on bam hides in her cave. She is six inches now so hopefully she will come out of this. I also have 3 blue gouramies she dosnt bother them, but I think thats because she has the con to pick on. What worries me is I got a 45 gal to put the con in, but once the con is gone she will probally start picking on the gouramies. Jds and convicts do not mix. Tim
ROLLIN
06-09-2003, 6:33 PM
I had to move the gourami today, did it about half an hour ago actually. Her tail was split a bit, along with a split fin. I had to kick the betta out of his 10 mansion and put him into a 2 gallon apartment room, and the gourami went in the 10. I feel bad for both fish, the betta was used to all that room, and the gourami is over 4" so a 10 is a bit small. If I cant find a used tank with a foot print of at least 30"x12", I might have to get rid of the gourami. I really like the ol' gal (well not old actually, not even 2 years) and dont want to. :(
DarthV
06-09-2003, 7:04 PM
I'm thinking about selling my 20gal tank when I move at the end of the month. I'll probably want $120 or $130 including the gravel.
ROLLIN
06-09-2003, 7:06 PM
What all comes with it? Is it a 20 long?
DarthV
06-09-2003, 7:37 PM
It's 24x12x18 I think... fluoro lights and hood, 150w Visi-Therm heater and an aquatech 30-60 filter (basically a pengium 330 without biowheel) which is way more than enough for a 20gal. Plus the gravel. I'm still not sure if I want to sell it or not, but if I do it won't be until I have my new 55 up and running at my new place. My plan is to keep the 20 running and set the 55 up at the new place...fill it, heat it and get some of the water from the 20 + filters... If you're interested, I can keep a fish in the 20 to keep the nitrogen cycle going. I'll know more in a week or 2 on what I'm going to do.
ROLLIN
06-09-2003, 7:49 PM
Id really like to have a tank at least 30" (or longer). I'll look in the bargaineer etc for a deal and if I cant find one, I might buy it (that is if my brother ever pays me for the tv he got from me....). Does it have a stand?
DarthV
06-09-2003, 8:11 PM
I'm using a pretty sturdy table...and I'd be willing to sell it along with the tank.
Here's a pic of it:
http://executor.hil.unb.ca/craig/images/fish/20gal.jpg
And no, the fluval cannister isn't going anywhere :) And neither are the paradigm monitor series speakers :D
And if the GT and con decide to leave the plants along (fat chance) they can go with it... along with the common pleco. I think I'm going to get a JD to go along with the con and GT when I move.
ROLLIN
06-09-2003, 9:34 PM
Looks like a real nice setup. Did you get it from walmart as a kit? If you did, I thought they included a smaller filter than the 30-60. If I do buy the tank, you can keep the pleco, I already have one 9 - 10 inch crap factory. :)
DarthV
06-09-2003, 9:56 PM
Yep, I bought it at walmart at the end of Jan or 1rst of Feb. And the 20g kit was supposed to come with a 20-40 filter, but inside the box there was the 30-60 with a sticker that said free upgrade. Which worked out quite well since we had goldfish in there until my girlfriend moved out...now those were messy fish.