|  |  | 
October 31st, 2009
|
| | Fish Helper
| New Jack Dempsey-need some advice
I just got a new Jack Dempsey. He is in a 30 gallon long by himself. I bought him at an older age, unsure what his actual age is but he measures at 9inchs. I introduced him to the tank Monday evening, it is now Saturday. I floated him for around 20 mins in bag in tank to acclimate him to water. The problem I am having is that he is extremily shy. I realize that most of you will say that he is in a tank that is too small but I asure you this is not a regular 30 gallon and he has tons of swimming room. He does not get excited at feeding time (I put food in and he does not eat until nobody is in room and lights are off), he lays on bottom behind log with abdominal fins touching gravel, and he will occasionally come out and float at 45 degree angle to side (maybe displaying colors). He was very active at the store and loved feeding time. Is this normal, will it just take more time for him to acclimate? pH: 7
Nitrites/Nitrates:0
Filter: Rena Filstar XP2
Food: Hikira pellets, occasional minnow, occasional criket
*Air pump with stones
______Thank you for your time and any advice would be helpfull_______
Last edited by Rattliffc12; October 31st, 2009 at 05:35 PM.
| 
| | |
October 31st, 2009
|
| | Moderator
| Hello Rattliffc and Welcome to Fish Lore. How long has your tank been set up? I'm afraid that it isn't cycled. Can you give us an ammonia reading?
Here is a link on the nitrogen cycle that is crucial to fish keeping: The Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle
Either your tank isn't cycled, your reading should be 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and 5 to 20 nitrates (unless you have live plants then you may not have nitrates) or your fish just needs more time to adapt to his new surroundings.
The adult size of a Jack Dempsey is 10". Your fish if probably fairly old. You can go to the top right hand side of this screen and do a search for Jack Dempsey Profile and you should find some good information there as well.
Best wishes!
Ken | 
| | |
October 31st, 2009
|
| | Fish Helper
| The tank has been set up for around 3 months. Previously had EBJD, but died because of LPS breeding EBJD with EBJD. Nitrates are 0 because all artificial plants.
Thank you for quick reply. | |
| | |
October 31st, 2009
|
| | Moderator
| Good morning Rattliff. You have a beautiful tank!  Artificial plants will not cause you to have 0 nitrates. Living plants will.
Do you have an ammonia test? What type of test kit are you using? Liquid or strips?
What is most recommended on this site is the API (liquid) Master Test Kit. The liquid tests are much more reliable and accurate than test strips. This kit will test for everything mentioned in the nitrogen cycle link I gave you.
Ken | |
| | |
October 31st, 2009
|
| | Fish Helper
| I am currently using strips which read zero ammonia. I will look into the API Master Test Kit. I am begining to get the feeling he just needs a little more time. Thank you again for your time. | |
| | |
October 31st, 2009
|
| | Moderator
| Sounds good Rattliff. Regardless of your readings, all fish do need time to acclimate to their new surroundings. Please keep us posted and best of luck to you and your fish!
Have a great weekend!
Ken | |
| | |
October 31st, 2009
|
| | Moderator
| Welcome to Fishlore, Rattcliffc12 
I have a pair of shy JD's myself in a 55g tank. A friend of mine rescued them from HORRID conditions. I provide hiding spots for mine. It did get better once I added two convict cichlids, but mine are in a 55g, so I'm not sure adding fish would be a good idea in your tank.
We have several JD's in our house (total of 6) and they are full of personality. My personal opinion is they have the ability to be psychologically harmed by past experience. They are a very intelligent fish. However, I can't prove that. It's my opinion only based on my experience with my own JD's.
What is the length of your 30 gallon tank? It looks longer than most I've seen. | |
| | |
October 31st, 2009
|
| | Fish Master
| It looks like a 35 to me 
Do you know the dimensions?
BTW, welcome to Fishlore! Youe have a Beautiful JD! and i love your tank's background! | |
| | |
October 31st, 2009
|
| | Fish Helper
| Welcome to Fish Lore!!!
Beautiful fishie! Cool background! | |
| | |
October 31st, 2009
|
| | Fish Helper
| Length: 36inchs
Hieght: 16.5inchs
Width: 12.5inchs
Also, here are new pictures after adding Terra Cotta Pot... 
Last edited by Rattliffc12; October 31st, 2009 at 03:08 PM.
| |
| | |
October 31st, 2009
|
| | Moderator
| I'm glad he likes the terra cotta pot. None of mine seem to be impressed by them.
With 36" length, if he gets scared, he'll probably run out of swimming room. My big male goes from one side to the other when he gets scared. Mine's 48" long.
If the terra cotta pot doesn't bring him out more, you may try a few more "JD-sized" hiding places.
Please let me know if you need some suggestions. I've already fought this particular battle  | |
| | |
November 30th, 2009
|
| | Fish Helper
| I now have a new 60 gallon tank and it is 48"w 13"d 24"h. He worries me though, when he gets spooked he takes off and hits the side, then the front, then the back, and finally slides into the gravel on his abdomine. I would think that he had plety of room in his new tank. Here is the Tank. | |
| | |
November 30th, 2009
|
| | Fish Master
| tank looks faboooooo!!
jd's can be skittish...mine, after being years old, still startle now and then....just making sure theres no hard deco or driftwood to hurt himself on ..but it looks great  | |
| | |
November 30th, 2009
|
| | Moderator
| Your new tank looks awesome!
Our JD's spook sometimes as well. As long as there aren't sharp edges from ornaments, you should be fine. | |
| | |
December 30th, 2009
|
| | Fish Bum
| Thats a nice tank!!! I too had trouble with a cichlid when I first bought it(Convict) I thought it was a parasite but it turned out that if u get cichlids when therye bigger other than babies it takes time for them to adapt to there climate | |
| | |
January 5th, 2010
|
| | Fish Lore Newbie
| ok guy i have a question i had a tank gave to me and it is about 4ft long 2ft wide 2 1/2 ft tall how many gallons do you think it is. i have four jacks in it. two of the jack are about a inche long the other are about 2 1/2 inches long are they going to be ok. another question i did a mid range ph test and it is 7.4 is that a good levvel or no | |
| | |
January 5th, 2010
|
| | Fish Mentor
| Leviwade Welcome to Fishlore
Please post your question in a thread of its own as it will get more attention there. | |
| | | |
Similar Aquarium Fish Forum Threads 
