ladykbug

We have one Jack, no other fish. He/she comes out when he wants to eat and knows me well. When the pH and/or ammonia is off, he acts tired and won't eat, so I adjust, partial water change, etc and he perks up quickly. I try to catch it before it gets to that point, but I'm guilty of getting too busy and neglectful (shame on me!).
anyway,
the last few days, he/she has been hiding in the smaller of 2 caves I've created and it appears he/she has dug a small hole in the gravel. Nothing big, just a dent, but it's under his/her back end.
Could he/she be wanting to spawn? and what do I do? there's only one fish in there!!!

CHoffman

Welcome to Fishlore LadyKbug,
Knowing your water perimeters would help greatly. Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Your PH shouldn't be changing. How big is your JD. They really need 55 gallon tanks and I see he's in a 20gallon. That's probably effecting his energy level and health also. I wouldn't think he's trying to spawn since there are no other fish in there.
Keeping up on the water changes are even more important since he's in a smaller tank. I'm sure he's polluting it up pretty fast. I hope he gets to feeling better soon though. JD's are awesome little fish.

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore!!! jd's are amazing fish...love their colors!! I have 2 myself

they do dig and hide even if not in breeding mode...its just them being safe and the digging of pits, seems to be where they like to rest...

even tho the tank is older, heres a great link to read sometime when you have the chance...its about the cycle of a tank and something thats very important for all fish to live healthy http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm ..ammonia is a killer of fish and shouldnt ever be in a tank when its properly cycled...he will need a bigger tank very soon...an API liquid master test kit is something thats affordable for what you get..it has everything you need and does 100 tests...i wish you well with your jd and share some pics if you can

ladykbug

The pH seems to change when the ammonia goes up. He's a VERY messy eater, so I have to watch the ammonia all the time. I can hand feed him, which is lots of fun!

He is eating, but not like normal. Maybe the tank is too small, but I do not have the space to have a bigger one. I can remove and rearrange the rocks to give him more space, so I'll do that in a few days. I don't want to stress him out since I was just doing a little cleaning yesterday.

this is a nice site. I'm sure I'll get a lot of good information here. thanks!