Redoing Tank : What would go well with Jack Dempsey (5inches)

[jrowephoto]

Good afternoon everyone,

I'm new here, and I'm curious as to what you all would recommend with a 5in Jack Dempsey. I believe i've read around enough that they can be somewhat aggressive / territorial, so i'm working on getting some hiding places/caves for him and would love to build the aquarium up with a lot of beautiful cichlids/whatever else would work well.

It's a 55 gallon aquarium, so i've got some room...but I want to make sure to do my research before just going and buying a bunch of fish.

Any help / suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

[Ihsnshaik]

Welcome to the forum! The JD can get up to 10" so a 55 gallon is good for him. Adding another fish can be troublesome.

 

[Skalper666]

Most Jack Dempseys will get along just fine with other american cichlids really. I've had the odd pugnacious one but for the most part they are less aggressive than they are known for if given adequate spacing. Other mid size semi-aggressive central american cichlids such as convicts, or firemouth would work well. Only thing is 55g could probably only house a JD and a convict or 2 max. 2 JD's if they were a real pair maybe.

 

[jrowephoto]

Thank you all for your help/input. What about a plecostomus? I'm getting a bit of algae collecting, but want to make sure my JD will play nice. Thoughts?

 

[Skalper666]

A JD will get along just fine with a pleco.

 

[Frank Castle]

Thank you all for your help/input. What about a plecostomus? I'm getting a bit of algae collecting, but want to make sure my JD will play nice. Thoughts?

Lots of catfish will do just fine for JDs....over the years I had/have Synodontis, Eclipse, RTS, ARS, Raphael, Chinese Algae-eater, Hoplo, Channel, Corydoras, and various Plecos all kept w/ JDs at some point ....even in pairs or harems, my JDs never bothered with bottom-feeders. Polypterus and FW Eels are also viable

As far as cichlids, the amount of caves and hide spaces - providing enough individual territories for the fish that A.) allow them to feel safe and B.) stay out of the other fish's vision when needed-- this is what will determine what will live harmoniously with your JD. Ideally look for cichlids in the smaller range with a bit of attitude as stated before like Convicts, Firemouths, Jewels, some species of Geophagus, Acaras, Dwarf Pikes, and many people have had success keeping them with Oscars as long as the Oscar is bigger than the JD, but not big enough to swallow the JD.

These are a few ideas, it's up to you to do the research and consider each fish's max-size and decide if you want to put it in a 55g or do you want to upgrade to a bigger tank sooner or later and get more creative with it. While a large male JD may measure 10", most stop or growth slows considerably around 8" from what I have seen. 8" is about the most common size I see any male OR female adult JDs and they are likely in the 3-4 year old range if fed daily and correctly.