Jack Dempsey coloration

[Declanb12]

So I got my first JD from petsmart about 2 weeks ago. He is a pale beige color with vertical black stripes. He only has a few small blue spots around his gills. Is he going to stay this way, or will he darken up and gain more blue? He's only about an inch and a half to 2 inches long right now. He is also in a 75 gallon tank with only a couple tank mates.

 

[Gourami Swami]

He will probably change when he gets large, how big is he now? Stripes are from stress, what's the setup like?

 

[duanes]

As stated above, they will color up with age. But they also instinctively tend to match surroundings.
If kept in a tank with white of pale substrate, they may stay lighter longer.
Below is a video from Eden Cenote in Mexico where they are endemic.
Notice the older adults color in the beginning, compared to the younger ones, living in light substrate sunlit areas toward the end on the video. The older ones are 6-9", the younger ones toward the end are @3"
Eden2

 

[BIG-G]

As stated above, they will color up with age. But they also instinctively tend to match surroundings.
If kept in a tank with white of pale substrate, they may stay lighter longer.
Below is a video from Eden Cenote in Mexico where they are endemic.
Notice the older adults color in the beginning, compared to the younger ones, living in light substrate sunlit areas toward the end on the video. The older ones are 6-9", the younger ones toward the end are @3"
Eden2

Very nice video duanes. Dont what to derail, but quick question. What are the live bearers that are prevalent throughout the video?

 

[duanes]

The live bearers are Poecilia velifora or yucateca (the Yucatan molly).
They can get quite large, I have seen adults in the 5" to 7" range, that will chase adult JDs away, some of the largest individuals turn bright blue.



In the Cenotes, the JDs watch them to gauge the threat of danger, which often comes from above.

 

[Declanb12]

Here is a picture of him. He is living with a pale substrate. He eats just fine. He's always the first one to get the food and he acts like he could eat all day long. But, I limit them to as much as they can eat in 2 minutes. I've noticed that while he eats, he seems to get a little darker.

 

[Declanb12]

View attachment 1257796 Here is a picture of him. He is living with a pale substrate. He eats just fine. He's always the first one to get the food and he acts like he could eat all day long. But, I limit them to as much as they can eat in 2 minutes.

 

[duanes]

Your pic shows a JD in totally normal coloration for its age.
Hard to tell, but looks female to me.
You will know for sure if the blue under her eye, and into the throat and gill plate remains and becomes more prominent as she ages.

 

[Declanb12]

Ok thanks. In the tank I also have a black convict. He is VERY dark. His body is a very dark grey and he has thick, black stripes running down him. Is this just a different color variation? He is only a little bigger than the JD. Sorry if this is a stupid question, it's my first time keeping one. And when I mean dark I mean DARK. He almost looks all black.

 

[Jeff5347]

I have 3 JD. A juv that is pretty dark ...almost a black purple. The larger ones...roughly 3 inches each, are different colors. One is beige with blue and yellow speckles and the other is black with beautiful green, blue and yellow coloring. I love my black ones color. If you want pics I'll try to snap a few

 

[Michael Ashworth]

That is a female JD their jaw has the big jewel and she looks a little stressed that's why she is pale, what do you feed her she looks like she has to poop, and sounds like she is over eating

This is my tank boss male 8 inches