josephtsui

previously, i was thinking to keep an oscar, but I just can't get enough space for an oscar, and I am now thinking of keeping a jack dempsey.
Is jack dempsey intelligent and interate with his owner very much as oscar?
Can i hand feed JD as oscar?
Is it alright to live on his own without depression?
what is the tank size i need for one JD? what about 2 JD?

freshwaterguy

One Jack Dempsey would require a 48" tank (1m 20cm) or 45g and above. What size tank do you have? as they grow to approx 25cm and more and boy they love to dig! watch out live plants.

For a pair I would recommend at 55G tank or better

You should be able to hand feed and they do love live foods.

As you probably already know they are aggressive however each one has its own unique personality.

They are intelligent? if you mean they know who feeds them and they will follow you and seem to beg to be fed for sure

josephtsui

thanks very much
do you think a pair of JD would be better for them as they can live with each other?
is it really fun to breed them? what would happen if they just reproduce again and again? i will get a bucket of fry....

freshwaterguy

Jack Dempsey's would do fine on there own, however if you would like a male and female a 55g or ideally a 75g would be recommended.

If ever aggression was too much from the male a tank divider could be used.

I guess the first question is how much do you want Jack Dempsey(s)

They sure are interesting fish.

capekate

Hello josephtsui
IMO having either a Jack Dempsey or an Oscar will require much the same care and tank size, even tho the Oscar does get much bigger. I bought a juvi JD 4 months ago and it has lived in a 29g tank since. About 3 months ago, I bought a female. I cant say for sure how old they were when I bought them,they are now 3 inches and probably are about 5-6 months old. It does take awhile for them to get to their adult size and if you planned on upgrading to a larger tank in the future I see no reason why you couldnt have two or at least one JD in your tank. My Jacks are doing fine in the 29g grow out tank and when needed, will go into the 55g tank, again as a grow out tank. I believe that all the sites I have researched that a 55g is the smallest for two JDs.
I can say that these two have personality and do come to the front of the tank when I sit in my chair near them. They are still babies and I cant wait to see them grow and mature to their full potential and personalities.
Oscars on the other hand I have not had any... YET! lol... I have heard some wonderful stories of their great and funny quirks and I am looking forward to one day having one of them.(thanks to Shawnies video's of hers) My plans in the future are for a 100-120 g tank and that will house the two JDs when they are adults and one Oscar.But I may end up with a 150g and be sure that all will have enough room.So on that note, when buying JD's or Oscars you have to realize that you will need to upgrade your tanks as they grow or get a large one, Im just saying that it does take awhile before they get that big.
You asked if one JD would be ok by itself. My Jack was fine by himself and king of his castle til I got the female. He does chase her around from time to time, especially at feeding time. I think I bought the female so that he would not be so all alone in that tank, but to tell the truth.. I do believe it never bothered him to be the sole fish in the tank.Ohh and I have never tried to hand feed my fish so I have no idea about that.
Good luck with your tank and I hope that I was able to help with some of your questions.

josephtsui

thank you very much for your comments...
u said the min tank size of 2 JD is 55 gallons, do u mean US gallons or UK gallons?

capekate

Hi 55 US Gal = 208.18 Liters, if that helps. FYI, there is a reference chart at the bottom of the pages here where you can calculate the differences. We all find that it helps especially with our friends from other countries that do not use the US gal calculations.

josephtsui

so the min tank size for 2 JD would be 208.18 L.
can u suggest an approximate width, height and length of a 208L tank? and how much is it?
and do u think actually breeding JD is fun, or just contining producing lots of fry which have no where to go.

capekate

Sorry josephtsui, I do not know what the dimensions of liter tanks would be for you. Im sure that others from Europe or Canada would be able to be of more help to you. I only pretty much know the dimensions of US gal tanks.

freshwaterguy

I do not know where you are geographically after looking at your profile. However :-

200L tanks would typically be 1m 20cm long or 4 foot here in the UK this would be a good size for 2 Jack Dempsey's - basically the bigger the better 5 foot or 1m 50cm would be great.

fyi 20g US is 16g here in the UK

I only have knowledge of Juwel aquariums having a 125L, 180L and 240L which I can recommend (no leaks) I purchased the 180L and 240L via Ebay for a big saving on new price.

Check your LFS for tanks, I recommend some research on what tanks you like the look of and then decide on new or used.

Breeding all fish is fun, good luck on choosing a tank

josephtsui

it would be great to have a 100cm x 45cm x 45cm tank...
i am just a bit worried about the fry that i will get after i bred them...
i live in the UK, freshwaterguy, where do u live?
how much is a 200L tank? do u have any experience of transporting tank by plane?

freshwaterguy

I live in Manchester in UK

100cm x 45cm x 45cm is approx 200L see aquarium calculator at http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/calculator.php

I would always look on ebay or classifieds for a used bargain, perhaps a tank only then you can buy an external filter of your choice see http://www.aquarist-classifieds.co.uk/ for classified ads in the UK.

If it has to be new then you are looking at over £200 for a 200L + tank, with extra for a stand.

I have only picked up my fish tanks in my car and transported that way.

Hope this helps.

josephtsui

i live in manchester as well, i go to the world of water in Timperley.
yey it costs about 200 i think and it is quite epensive for me, and i am thinking if getting it from Hong kong where i used to live.

freshwaterguy

Oasis Aquarium for me in Manchester - excellent selection of fish and stunning marine selection that I always have to look at.

josephtsui

World of Water is a pretty big store as well in Altrincham.
Have they got any electric Blue Jack Dempsey in the store that you are going to?

freshwaterguy

not sure on that one I mainly look at African Cichlids and Marine tanks when at Oasis, but they do have JD's and Oscars

Best to give them a call on 0161 832 5836 they will be happy to help.

josephtsui

would you like to ask him for me please if you are going to th oasis, or maybe i will call them sometimes late.

nerebus

If you are looking for Blue Jack Dempsey's Maidenhead Aquatics in Addleston, Shepperton and at Osterley by Gillette corner on the A30. They have had them since about April. I bought mine in Addlestone in April and a friend bought his in Shepperton at the start of September, both doing fine. Frm memory the one &a half inch long ones are £36 while the two and a half fish are £56.
I sold my year old Jack Dempsey to buy a EBJD. Even at 9 months old he had sussed I kept his live food in the fridge and would swim to the end of the tank whenever I went to the kitchen to watch me. If I opened the fridge suddenly I would here lots of splashing as he went nuts expecting me to return with his food.
My EBJD has been eating out of my hand since he was about 5 months old (approx). As soon as I get home after work he starts charging up and down the tank looking at me with one eye at a time. If you have the space I highly recommend Jack's. Mine is in with 2 Pakistani loaches, 1 Red Sailfin Pleco and a bristlenose. All living happily together.