JACK DEMPSEY - Care Guide (PLUS FRY!)

[@AnointedMinds_CoachMalachi]

Love the video guy. I have a Jack Dempsey as well currently in a 75 with a convict, a green terror, a fire mouth, a salvini, and a green Texas. Jack Dempsey is my tank boss as well but he doesn't swim around as actively as yours does. If he comes out of his man cave it's at night while I sleep because he never comes out, only to chase everyone else away that gets too close. I have a piece of wood in the tank similar to yours and he just hides out in the cave. He won't even come out to eat...EVER! I cannot remember the last time I've actually seen him put food in his mouth. I lift the wood on occasion just to make sure he's still living. He does not appear to have lost any weight, I'm just worried because he doesn't do anything. He reminds me of an Oscar how he just sits there and pouts whenever you move or change something in the tank, but this is excessive. Any suggestions on what it may be, this has been going on for some months now.

[@raymondbarron3597]

I miss my jack, had one for 7 years in a apartment, the wife and I had finally bought a house. We moved him from apartment to the house and he died couple days later...miss you JAWS

[@CichlidBros]

Raymond Barron thanks for watching! Sorry to hear about Jaws, but at least he had a long life!

[@danielleblaiq]

Jaws is the right name! These fish are bullies lol

[@kirksouthern3920]

How big was he and how big tank was he kept in, r.i.p jaws

[@subscribe2me904]

Damn that stresses me out Lmao. Moving next month into a house. I plan on collecting all the tank water to refill it with the same water. Over time water parameters will change from the other water source.

[@luisrivas1618]

I got a juvenile about 3 months ago. He was sooo small and barely had any color. The other cichlids in the tank started bullying it and would hide a lot. I was worried and contemplated removing him. But he eventually stood his ground and found his place in the hierarchy. He’s only about 2 1/2 inches but he’s colored up beautifully. Took me by surprise because I thought he would’ve stayed that grayish brown color for a few more months but he just turned deep black and the blue looks amazing. Still a long way but he’s honestly a great fish. Pretty peaceful for a cichlid.

[@letsgetgoing7833]

Great looking fish, love the Jack!

[@CichlidBros]

Let's Get Going thank you!!

[@amymandeville8342]

I just love these fish! They're going to be the first fish i get when I can have a big tank again.

[@CichlidBros]

Awesome!

[@dexterisabo3137]

Jacks are by far my favorite fish. I've grown 3 of them from 2 inches to over 8, and each one has been stunningly buetiful. Right now I have a male Jack that is close to 9 to 10 inches long and so lacy and vibrant blue that in house full of aquariums, hes the one that everyone asks me about. Not the Oscars or my Africans, nope, its always my blue peacock, its always my Jack that folks are always going on about.

[@CichlidBros]

Same, they’re one of our favorites for sure

[@joemunoz1251]

Very nice Jack . That's a cool little batch of fry .

[@CichlidBros]

Joe Munoz thank you!!

[@KingsAquariumsAndReptileRoom]

Great video, fish look amazing and so does the tank. The babies look very healthy. Great job

[@CichlidBros]

King Aquaruims thank you! Appreciate you watching!

[@KingsAquariumsAndReptileRoom]

@@CichlidBros no worries, u have watched mine so only fair for me to watch yours which was awesome

[@braveheartreefer525]

Super informative video baby Jack's looking awesome

[@CichlidBros]

Braveheart reefer 525 thanks man! Fun to watch them grow 👌🏻

[@KawaiiFishKeepers]

Awesome! We are thinking of getting these soon thanks!

[@SID_666_]

I'm putting together a 160 gallon tank. Want to put in it a JD, oscar, pleco, green terror, fire mouth and a red head earth eater. Will the tank be big enough can I add any more fish? Aiming for all single fish to prevent mating agression

[@DawnMichele]

Hello!!! Great video & info!!! I keep my JD Rocky in a 72 gallon Bow Front by himself!!! He doesn't play nice nice!!!

[@CichlidBros]

Dawn Michele thanks for watching! Sounds like a great set-up for him, and great that you had the ability to manage the aggression 👌🏻

[@DawnMichele]

@@CichlidBros I got him a female JD & he beat her up!!! I put her in a hospital tank got her better and back to the LFS she went!!!

[@CichlidBros]

Dawn Michele that’s definitely how it goes sometimes!

[@bigfishlad4847]

stunning JD 🤩

[@CichlidBros]

thank you!

[@lamontgamingchanel8536]

I love your videos keep the good work

[@johnotooledoggames2336]

👍☘️ good evening 🌇 from Dublin Ireland 🇮🇪 such a beautiful fish tank you have and very nice fish 🐟🐠🐡🐟🐠🐡

[@CichlidBros]

John O toole dog games hi there - thanks so much! Really appreciate you watching

[@johnotooledoggames2336]

Cichlid Bros you’re welcome 👍 if you like dogs too would you like to subscribe to my channel

[@Gh0stSoLdI3R]

Awesome video! But i wanted to ask. Why would a jd stay low by substrate and refuse to eat. Is this loathing? Water parameters in check... My dads fish, ive never owned them but according to him he hasnt atebin like 7days

[@curbappeal3397]

Thanks for the great video. I have a pair that constantly breed in my 55 gallon tank but all the fry always disappear after a day or two. I’m wondering if I should put the female into a separate tank while she’s mouth brooding to protect the fry, then put her back in her normal tank later. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you! Coincidentally, we just posted another video on breeding JDs specifically. Check that one out if you're still curious!

[@williamgonzalez6849]

Nice looking fishes i got1 jack dem and 1 zebra convict

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks, and very nice 👍🏻

[@danielleblaiq]

Lol. These are such mean ass fish! My brother in law had one and it would build up momentum and leap out of the tank when we tried to clean it out.

[@angelfishkeeper3027]

I just bought my first jack dempsey 🐟

[@adminaquatics5668]

Cool video, I have a question instead of a Salvini and green terror I have a Oscar and I want a convict and brislenose pleco does that sound ok? Also I have 5 giant danios

[@CichlidBros]

Young Fish Aquatics thanks! That should work as long as the pleco and convict aren’t too much smaller than the JD/Oscar when introduced. I would recommend a 75g+ for that mix, if possible

[@adminaquatics5668]

Cichlid Bros the danios Oscar and jack are all baby’s there all around 4 inches and there in a 75

[@adminaquatics5668]

Cichlid Bros when will you post next?

[@CichlidBros]

Young Fish Aquatics that should work then. Good luck!

[@CichlidBros]

Young Fish Aquatics we typically post every Sunday

[@Minhluong116]

Hi ! i had a Jack Dempsey.i bought year ago now he grow 6 inches he start lazy to eat.i feed him Omega one Cichlid flakes and also try a Sinking and floating Cichlid pellets he still does not eat he spit it out.Also i try the frozen shrimps he spit it out ! he had been not eating 5 days ago would you please help me show me what type of food sould i gave it to him now ???

[@CichlidBros]

Minh Luong does he have any other symptoms? It’s possible he has internal parasites or another sickness. Usually stingy white feces or lazy behavior would be other symptoms to watch for

[@Minhluong116]

I really don’t know my friend ??? Would tell me what I supposed to do to help this fish now ???

[@CichlidBros]

Minh Luong it’s hard to say, but my first choice would be API general cure

[@gennerobootz6490]

What other fish can you put them with? Can put them with Oscar and flower heads

[@KZtheFisherOutdoors]

I came across of your channel Great content great video love it!! NEW FRIEND 👍😉

[@CichlidBros]

KZtheFisher Outdoors thanks so much! I’ll check out your channel as well

[@rayluckman9324]

My favorite fish I have 90 gal jack Dempseys setup

[@CichlidBros]

Ray Luckman nice! I’ll have to check it out

[@firehawk4255]

what is the fish with orange fins? the smaller one?

[@dwillhight]

Is it okay to put two in a 55 gallon until they get bigger?

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

depends on if they are a pair or not. unpaired cichlids will fight in this size tank

[@grug7744]

If I buy one that's only 3.5 cm will my 10cm convicts eat him before he can grow or will he be fast enough to hold his own?

[@CichlidBros]

Grug that’s a good question. I think he may be able to hold his own if the tank is big enough and there’s plenty of hiding spots. If he was just a bit bigger, I’d say it would work for sure

[@grug7744]

@@CichlidBros Thanks for the reply!! I might have a talk to the guys at the store and see if they can order an older one for me.

[@rebekahsmith65]

I used to have a jack Dempsey and he ate all of his tank mates witch were other big cichlids and we named him chum

[@mathughsyoutubeworld2655]

I learned if ur lucky u can have 2 jack dempseys together and they will be nice to each other it takes luck but it happened first time.

[@bizarreserpent8516]

I got 2 and they paired up

[@MarcQuintana123]

Can you keep a jack dempsey and 2 severums in a 55 gallon tank?

[@CichlidBros]

Marc02 hey there. I would recommend at least a 75 gallon for that stocking. Especially since the severums get so big over time. It can be done in a 55, but the bigger the better! 👍🏻

[@MarcQuintana123]

Cichlid Bros thank you!!

[@Sainthood-c9s]

Do y’all think I can keep one in a 75 gallon with a gold severum cichlid?

[@CichlidBros]

Should be good

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

my girl is super bright and even has long fin trailers on her ventral fins. might be due to all the high protein live and frozen foods and the fact that she is the most dominant fish

[@schavster]

Is the fish with the yellow fin edges a Dempsey

[@CichlidBros]

Casey S hi there! That fish is actually a Golden Saum (or Green Terror). The fish with yellow throughout more of his body is a salvini 👍🏻

[@MrTrained2Go]

I got my JD in a 55 gallon so you think I could add one more or is that just enough space for him he’s 2 years old if so what would it be?

[@CichlidBros]

Yep, I would say a pair could be comfortable in a 55. Or you could do a convict, firemouth, or other cichlid that doesn’t get too big

[@johndavidlofgren6518]

Question: I have a 36 gallon bow front aquarium already cycled with 4 danios in it. Can I have one jack and nothing else?

[@CichlidBros]

A juvenile would be okay but a full grown adult may need more space. The danios might get eaten depending on the Jack

[@theholt2ic219]

You think a Jack Dempsey would be good with a blood parrot, 2 oscars, a red spotted gold Severum, green terror, and a fire mouth?

[@CichlidBros]

Those are typically good tank mates since they can hold their own usually. I would just recommend a large tank with that setup, especially with the two oscars. 125 gallon or larger would be ideal.

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

sure

[@SIRXUIA]

Do you think American cichlids like the Jack Dempsey can be kept with a reed fish and African leaf fish or will the cichlids attack them?

[@CichlidBros]

I've seen that done, but haven't personally kept that combo. It should work okay if the tank is 75g+

[@SIRXUIA]

@@CichlidBros right thanks, also do the bumblebee oscars get smaller than other oscars like the red tiger?

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

yes, to reed fish and maybe for the leaf fish. leaf fish have delicate mouthparts which could get damaged if the cichlids lip lock

[@candicecovington6315]

Can i get help tbey say the darker the color they are happy is that true i have everything i need but no color change is it because i have bright xolors in my tank ?

[@CichlidBros]

Sometimes a dark substrate will make them turn darker. Most will get darker as they age as well

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

my jack is an anomaly for her type. she is super skittish and surprisingly docile as well as rather picky about prepared foods

[@plantedtankz8988]

My Jack is the same size and he's extremely laid back. I've been battling hole in the head disease for around a year with him. I've tried various meds, feeding a variety of high quality foods including xtreme. He lived with large goldfish for awhile but I moved the goldfish into a 300 gallon stock pond. I hoped that would help but it hasn't. Do you have any ideas or suggestions]?

[@danm8004]

Sure, I suggest you don't keep cichlids with goldfish.

[@dsfishingandaquatics4698]

What will you be doing with the fry?

[@CichlidBros]

We’ll likely keep most. But we might look into selling them to local stores or giving them away

[@dsfishingandaquatics4698]

How much would you sell them for?

[@CichlidBros]

DS Fishing and Aquatics not entirely sure. Open to options out there

[@dsfishingandaquatics4698]

Maybe do a giveaway with them?

[@PhillyDee215]

Cool video 😎

[@gypsyman1939]

How many times a day to feed fry JD

[@CichlidBros]

1-2 times

[@gypsyman1939]

@@CichlidBros hey I have my small JD about inch and half maybe 2 inches. He’s in tank with two yellow labs around 2 inches and also a blue Johnnie chichlid around 4 inches and a blue gourami around 2 and half in or 2 inch and every single time my JD comes out of hiding they all chase and peck at him nonstop and the blue gourami chases him the worst. My jd minds his own business and never pecks at any of them. Why they all bulling him

[@mostlymowiewowie2544]

What about keeping with Severums?

[@CichlidBros]

That's usually a great tank mate, as long as the tank is sizable. Severums usually go well with many types of cichlids since they can hold their own, but aren't typically as aggressive

[@supermomjulia]

What was the orange tailed ones?

[@CichlidBros]

It was the Green Terror (Gold Saum)

[@jscott7515]

Could I put red tail shark with jack dempsey s ?

[@CichlidBros]

Usually would be okay. Sometimes red tail sharks can be nippy though

[@michaelharrity9795]

I want a Jack Dempsey

[@CichlidBros]

Michael harrity I’d recommend 👍🏻

[@AwakeAllYeNations]

when did you separate the Jack Dempsey fry from the parents?

[@CichlidBros]

We did about after about 4 weeks, but it can be done earlier/later without issue most of time

[@AwakeAllYeNations]

@@CichlidBros thanks for the response :)

[@priyankachanda9387]

My jack Dempsey's colour is fading away 😭😭😭😭 it's becoming greyish... Please tell me how to take care of it so that it can get back it's natural colour... please help

[@ariannasorrentino4430]

Hello can you tell me please I have a Jack Demsey blue like urs boy 4 years old four days ago he turned black and two days ago he started swim weird not that active he eats good water is fine I lost a piece can't sleep at night I don't know how to help him

[@CichlidBros]

Hi, sorry to hear. If he doesn't have anything noticably externally, I would guess he has a form of worms or internal parasites. API general cure, some products from Fritz, or levamisole could help. Best of luck

[@ariannasorrentino4430]

@@CichlidBros Thank you

[@Omar-rf9kg]

What does it mean if my Dempsey turn almost all black

[@sambe3967]

could i have a Jack Dempsey a Gold Severum and an elecrtric blue Acara in a 75?

[@CichlidBros]

Should be fine. I’d just keep an eye on the JD long term, but overall should be compatible

[@timothy_b03]

Can a full grown male and female pair fit comfortably in a 55?

[@CichlidBros]

I think it could work. I would just keep the pair without any other tank mates to be safe

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

there is a risk of one of them getting bullied, make sure you have a cave where the smaller of the two can enter but the larger fish can't. or just get a 75

[@timothy_b03]

@@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030 Thanks, i ended up getting a 90 for them

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

@@timothy_b03 awesome

[@stevencruz9336]

How would they do with live plants?

[@CichlidBros]

Mostly destroy plants. There are a few like hornwort, water wisteria, etc that could’ve make it

[@shanelauer7871]

I would like to put an Oscar and a jack dempsey in a 75 gal what would be a good bottom feeder that will survive and fit the tank

[@garyfleming4101]

Common pleco

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

you could try striped Raphael catfish, gold synodontis nigrita, synodontis eupterus etc. avoid common plecos as they get huge. try a gold spot pleco or a rhino pleco instead

[@atrillagaming7805]

in my country, Electric Blue Jack Dempsey(EBJD) Is more common than a blue Jack Dempsey, Blue Jack Dempsey is pretty rare in my country

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

yea in a lot of places electric blue jack dempseys are more popular and common than the normals. in my area I can't find any normal jack dempseys just the blues [ I could only get mine through an eBay advert for a fish tank and decor ]

[@julyfishy392]

I wanna buy that bubbler

[@Eddtheoscarfishandfriends]

Beautiful

[@CichlidBros]

Edd the oscar fish an friends thank you!

[@makiarn777]

I have two and one is darker than the other and chases the lighter one. He also punks my jaguar.

[@CichlidBros]

Yeah, they can definitely get aggressive

[@samadagoat7769]

Had a huge jack and a huge red belly in the same tank for years .. both times after a while the piranha eats the jacks and Oscar’s ..

[@CichlidBros]

Yeah I would definitely not recommend piranhas as tank mates

[@samadagoat7769]

@@CichlidBros I think it would have worked if feeding was on time

[@angelmunoz4934]

I had convicts, Jack's and suckers in the same tank. We had no power in Texas for 5 days long story story short temps inside my house dropped to 35° all my fish died except the Jack Dempsey's... If you want a tuff Fish they are it, they survived freezing water!

[@CichlidBros]

Sorry to hear about your fish. Agreed on the JDs being very hardy fish!

[@angelmunoz4934]

@@CichlidBrosthanks I was considering getting two more fishes just contemplating which ones being that JD are very territorial any advice?

[@giberainshepsky]

I have 2 electric blue jack demsy

[@BigPaPaRu]

When I was young and honestly a horrible fish keeper, I had Dempseys. They survive everything. No heat, bad water, bad filtration, no food, etc. I'm ashamed of it now but I was young and stupid. But man are they hardy.

[@mathughsyoutubeworld2655]

I think I have 2 males that are being nice to each other maybe they are just young maybe they will grow into being nice.

[@CichlidBros]

Nice! Sometimes they get more aggressive when they mature, but hopefully they stay docile for you. Thanks for watching!

[@CarolinaSkol]

all i did was paint the tank black and use black gravel and they all stay black

[@jakogsc]

my jack is timmid to the max never leaves the sub in my 200 litre tank

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

i find that dither fish and lots of treat foods like mealworms brings them out

[@brownaquatics2031]

Nice video! I love these fish and will be taking a trip out to south dakota to a hot spring, where these are found so I can catch them to make a south dakota themed aquarium for my grandparents since they love it so much there. Does anyone know anything about this hot spring? If so please let me know and dont forget to check out my channel @ Brown Aquatics! Thanks

[@the_void5801]

I eat fish 🐠 my favorite is trout but I ate a jack dempsey cichlid it wasn’t bad but was an eh but good vid

[@AQUAGUYUK]

My Jacks killed all my convicts

[@CichlidBros]

AQUAGUY UK sorry to hear. Usually convicts are one of the better tank mate options if the tank is big with hiding spots. But some JDs will still find a way

[@jackofalltradesmasterofnon8069]

Hi my female jack Dempsey always hiding there plants caves and floating plants

[@goaway1885]

I thought he meant fry up the fish, disappointed.

[@julyfishy392]

What was that thing bubbling on the left?