What type of cichlid is this?! :o I JUST got him, and am clueless!

[Sunburnt]

Just recently got into cichlids, and came across a local breeder who had this guy he traded for in one of his back tanks, I fell in love with the colors and had to get him!

Sorry for the horrid quality pics, but they are screenshots of a video im uploading to youtube now!

Please post pictures of the 'type' or any helpful info you can spare!

 

[BettaFishMommy]

jack dempsey. hope you have a big tank or plans to get a big tank soon!

 

[Sunburnt]

Ohhh! Haha, is that even a type of cichlid? Im completely new to keeping them. Ive only ever kept angels and guppies (though im aware angels are a type of cichlid.)


I just searched on google for like 2 seconds and found exactly what he looks like!

http://e0.aqua-fish.net/imgs/fish/jack-dempsey-cichlid-2.jpg



Thanks for the help.
Anything I should know about jack dempseys?


The breeder told me he was a cichlid, and kept him with his african cichlids, so any info is helpful.

 

[Sunburnt]

jack dempsey. hope you have a big tank or plans to get a big tank soon!

I have plenty of big tanks lying around! xD

 

[BettaFishMommy]

yep. dempsey's are actually quite common. they are a central american cichlid. can be aggressive. get to about 10 inches or so full size, so a tank that is at least 4 feet long and 12 to 16 inches wide is the recommended minimum (IMO). not sure how he'll get along with your african there, keep an eye on them!

 

[Sunburnt]

yep. dempsey's are actually quite common. they are a central american cichlid. can be aggressive. get to about 10 inches or so full size, so a tank that is at least 4 feet long and 12 to 16 inches wide is the recommended minimum (IMO). not sure how he'll get along with your african there, keep an eye on them!

Thanks so much!
At least I know his info now! xD

His colors are amazing, im tempted to look for more! Im not too happy with my africans colors, (which is the whole reason I got into cichlids, for the color!)

Maybe ill try to trade my Africans for more of his sort.

 

[allaboutfish]

He would need at least a 55 gallon to himself and more for tankmates, and african and south american cichlids shouldnt be mixed

 

[Sunburnt]

He would need at least a 55 gallon to himself and more for tankmates, and african and south american cichlids shouldnt be mixed

Wish I would have been told this from the person I bought all the fish from.
I have a 55 long with over 10 african cichlids, and then him in it.

I have more then half the tank covered in broken slates in a planted tank for hideouts (I was told they needed this)


PLEASE, Keep the info coming! Haha, this is all news to me, perhaps ill need to re think this whole cichlid thing.

 

[Rbishop]

What africans do you currently have?

 

[BettaFishMommy]

housing central and south american cichlids with african cichlids 'can' be done, but it is not recommended. all depends on the individual fishes personalities. i personally would keep the JD and rehome the africans, but that's because i enjoy the big guys more than the africans.