Jack Dempsey & Tank Mates!

neils · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

Hello everyone!

I have a young Jack Dempsey in a 53 gallon tank.

Here are the dimensions:

39.4 X 15.8 x 19.7 INCHES

I know he is going to grow to 8 - 10", and I think he'll be ok.

I also have a Clown Pleco in there.

I'm well aware that a Jack is very aggresive, and that he is an
unpredictable sort.

Given my tank size, what can I get away with without stunting my fish
or making them miserable?

I'd estimate my Jack Dempsy is maybe two to three inches at most.

I was thinking of a young pair of convicts - but I'm open to all
reasonable ideas.

Are there dither fish I can get that won't end up as lunch?

Thanks in advance,
NSP

Archived from group: rec>aquaria>freshwater>cichlids

Anon · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 1

My father had success with Tinfoil barbs & Silver dollars. His tank is
65 gallons and the Jack Dempseys never got to be more than 5 inches.

neils@nsproductions.net wrote:
> Hello everyone!
>
> I have a young Jack Dempsey in a 53 gallon tank.
>
> Here are the dimensions:
>
> 39.4 X 15.8 x 19.7 INCHES
>
> I know he is going to grow to 8 - 10", and I think he'll be ok.
>
> I also have a Clown Pleco in there.
>
> I'm well aware that a Jack is very aggresive, and that he is an
> unpredictable sort.
>
> Given my tank size, what can I get away with without stunting my fish
> or making them miserable?
>
> I'd estimate my Jack Dempsy is maybe two to three inches at most.
>
> I was thinking of a young pair of convicts - but I'm open to all
> reasonable ideas.
>
> Are there dither fish I can get that won't end up as lunch?
>
>
> Thanks in advance,
> NSP
>

neils · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

Hi Guys,

I completely forgot about this thread.

This is what I have done since.

In my 53 gallon (about 40" across), I have:

1 Male Jack Dempsey
1 Male Salvini
1 Bristlenose Pleco
1 Clown Pleco
4 Giant Danios

I have a rock cave, a hollow log, and plants here and there. Lots of
hiding places.

Do I have room for a female Salvini, or would I be pushing it?

Regards,
NSP