Jack Dempsey Cichlid is inactive

[Dylan Miller]

Hello Everyone, meet blueberry.

... As you can see, he's active and interactive in this video. He always comes up to the glass, and bites my fingers if I put them in the tank. When I do water changes, he watches me closely to make sure I'm not "messing with his stuff."

Recently, he's been loafing around in his cave and not moving for nearly anything. He hasn't gone through a phase like this in a long time, and I can barely tell he's moving. He's not on his side or anything, it's just not like him to 'nap' all day long for several days in a row.

I did clean my filter, but I used tank water and that was a week ago. If I had an ammonia spike I feel like the effects would be more drastic and resolved by now as my bio media is unharmed.

I feed him good quality food, but haven't fed him in two days. Is he sulking? Growth spurt? Does anyone here have experience with Central american cichlids 'sulking' for no apparent reason?

Thanks for your help! I want him to go back to being his old self!

Thanks!
-Dylan

 

[dan518]

First thing to do would be test the water parameters.,

 

[duanes]

Where I have snorkeled with JDs in the Cenotes of the Yucatan, I have not found them to be a highly active species, unless courting or spawning. Many times they just hover in the same spot for hours on end, especially older individuals. The live bearers that surround them were always in constant motion , but not the older JDs unless attempting to lunge at the live bearer fry, or moving away from me, as I approached. you tube of Eden Cenote below, click to run
Eden2

 

[cichlidfish]

JD I've had was active when young, but very inactive when older. He would pretty much just stay in one area of the tank (150g). He would just hover above the bottom. He was very healthy.
But I would check your water parameters, and ph. If it were ammonia spike, he would be breathing heavily or worse. I would check water parameters and ph just to rule it out.

 

[robham777]

That is an exceptional looking JD and a great video. I have some fish that were very rambunctious when younger, but don't cruise the tank very often now. I saw you have not fed recently, is the fish eating ok when you do?

 

[Dylan Miller]

First thing to do would be test the water parameters.,

The water parameters are normal, I think it's a matter of overfeeding. Before his few day feeding break I was feeding him multiple times a day. I just can't say no to his begging! He seems a bit more perked up after his fast.

 

[Dylan Miller]

Where I have snorkeled with JDs in the Cenotes of the Yucatan, I have not found them to be a highly active species, unless courting or spawning. Many times they just hover in the same spot for hours on end, especially older individuals. The live bearers that surround them were always in constant motion , but not the older JDs unless attempting to lunge at the live bearer fry, or moving away from me, as I approached. you tube of Eden Cenote below, click to run
Eden2

That looks like a beautiful dive. I have looked for videos of wild JD's before but with not much luck! I would title it something involving the word Wild Jack Dempseys to get more views. People should see what a real JD looks like rather than the inbred ones we see at petco!

 

[Dylan Miller]

That is an exceptional looking JD and a great video. I have some fish that were very rambunctious when younger, but don't cruise the tank very often now. I saw you have not fed recently, is the fish eating ok when you do?

Yes, I just fed him and he ate (cichlid style, by splashing my hand). Thanks!

 

[keystonewma]

Good looking fish, and nice work on the video

 

[tiger15]

JD are naturally shy fish, and there is a reason why JD is never kept as a solitary pet fish. Juvenile JDs is more out going because hunger trumps the shyness. As JD gets older, they are less hungry, less aggressive and less active. JD is best to be kept in a community cichlid tank with competitors to challenge him.