Jack dempsy

I think a big factor would be the tank size. Its kinda hit or miss too with the big cichlids. You could have a lot of different tanks mates with a JD. Convicts, Terrors, Oscars, Jaguars, a number of larger cat species. I'd suggest just looking around at some of the larger cichlid and cat species, find something that is similar in size and temperment. Like I said though, its kinda hit or miss.

I have had a lot of luck with Pike Cichlids and Oscars with JD's. Not that others do not work as well. Some cover just in case does not hurt. Do you have any in the tank now? and the size when you put them together could matter as well. I always added the same size together or if it was a new fish to a already established tank, then the new fish might be a little larger but never smaller. This may not always be the case but has been with my tanks.

Originally posted by NatakuTseng
I think a big factor would be the tank size. Its kinda hit or miss too with the big cichlids. You could have a lot of different tanks mates with a JD. Convicts, Terrors, Oscars, Jaguars, a number of larger cat species. I'd suggest just looking around at some of the larger cichlid and cat species, find something that is similar in size and temperment. Like I said though, its kinda hit or miss.

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I agree completely with exception to the Jag. Their temperment (the jag) is just down right nasty. That would have to be a pretty big tank.

Here are some of the fish that I have kept with JD's
Texas
Severums
Rainbow Cichlids
P.Polleni
Chocolate cichlids
Blue Arcaras
Jewels
Festivums
Convicts
Synspilum
Blue JD's

Some other none cichlids
Spanner/t-bar barbs
arulius barbs
Hoplo cat
various plecos
Rosey barbs

There are a few others I can't think of right now.

Jacks are pretty easy to co-exist with. Granted it does depend on the temperemnt of each indvidual fish. I have had Jacks with smaller fish with no problems, then I have had a couple, of real SOB's (my current dominant male included) that needed a tankmate that kicked it's butt to keep it in it's place

Originally posted by bennylax3
rosey or ruby barb

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Rosey. Ruby barbs just aren't fast enough.

Cichlids

First. I would stay away from the tiger barbs. They will get beaten up. You want to keep fish that will be both dithers and targets. Bold enough to swim freely in the upper parts of the tank without hiding in the corner so your JD's will come out, and tough enough to take a good lashing and be fast enough to survive the inital brunt of the beating while able to get away from the rest that is bound to come.

For that I prefer spanner, and arulius barbs. Good looking and tough as nails.


Texas grow a little slower but make up for it in attitude.

Cons grow quite fast.

My big male JD got along very well with my big female synspilum. He's 7.5 inches she is 9.5 and keeps him in his place. They grew up together.

The rest seemed to grow a little slower than the JD's. Severums are very slow growers. Takes me forever to get my fry to a decent enough size to sell. That is on a very high protein diet as well.

I always though that my chocolate cichlid was a slow grower but before I knew it, she was 7 inches.

Regards.