Jack Dempsy Tank Mate Problems

My husband and I decided after a lot of research and talking to the fish experts at our local fish store to add a tank mate to our aquaruim. We started with 2 convicts and 2 oscars. It went well until we added a Jack Dempsy, here is the tricky part, our Dempsey is NOT the problem. At first everything seemed fine then the next day we found our oscars beaten up. They were removed and put in our hospital tank.
Of course we blamed our new Dempsey until we saw our Dempsey get attack by one of our much smaller convicts?! Our convict was the aggressor the whole time.
Why would this happen?

Second who would be better tank mates for our Dempsey?

 

2 convicts, well its very possible they paired up and when 2 convicts wanna breed they get real aggresive and turn into monsters and will attack anything, most likey male+female convict you will have to keep them by themselves otherwise attacks will continue, some photos would help with genders. Also how big is the aquarium, oscars need around 150-200gal each and jack dempseys need similar too. Convicts are ok in 55-75gals or bigger

 

I assume you have a huge aquarium. Why else would they tell you this stocking was ok??

 

2 convicts, well its very possible they paired up and when 2 convicts wanna breed they get real aggresive and turn into monsters and will attack anything, most likey male+female convict you will have to keep them by themselves otherwise attacks will continue, some photos would help with genders. Also how big is the aquarium, oscars need around 150-200gal each and jack dempseys need similar too. Convicts are ok in 55-75gals or bigger

You hit it right on the head. I told the pairing expert that my female had developed pink/orange stripes recently but they said it would not be a problem.
Both Convicts are now in a separate 75 gallon.
My poor JD is all alone who could we put with him?

 

I'd should be fine on its own, probably safer for all your fish, convicts are in 75 what are the Je and the oscar in? They need big tanks so please don't try and 10-20gal stuff

 

If the Oscars & the JD were adults, it would be game over for the Convicts.
Speaking from experience, Salvini, Firemouth & the Texas Cichlid make good tankmates for a JD.

 

They were not up for a good photo shoot here is what I have

 

Beautiful fish, could you tell us what's size tank the JD and aposcar cichlids are in?

 

My female looks huge in the picture but she is actually very small this is my male

Beautiful fish, could you tell us what's size tank the JD and aposcar cichlids are in?

Each in 75's
JD is alone in his tank. My convicts are in a separate tank. Unfortunately my male convict killed my oscars. I am devastated. They were my buddies

 

You might consider a whole new aquascape concept, which includes rock piles & driftwood.
I think you would like it much better than the plastic decor & your Cichlids will act more naturally.

 

Would getting two oscars and putting them in with my JD be an option? I miss them. Bear in mind these would be much smaller Oscar's than my previous ones. I don't want to offer them up as JD food.

You might consider a whole new aquascape concept, which includes rock piles & driftwood.
I think you would like it much better than the plastic decor & your Cichlids will act more naturally.

Done! I will switch this up Tuesday (my day off) can the driftwood be artifical?

Beautiful fish, could you tell us what's size tank the JD and aposcar cichlids are in?

Each in 75's

You might consider a whole new aquascape concept, which includes rock piles & driftwood.
I think you would like it much better than the plastic decor & your Cichlids will act more naturally.

Also may I keep the barrels for my JD that is his favorite
Do you think my JD is an adult?

 

If your ph is over seven & water is hard, keeping Oscars healthy can be difficult. Oscars are extremely susceptible to Hexamita. Hard water greatly increases the possibility of a Hexamita outbreak.
A 75 gallon tank will soon look very cramped with just one male Oscar, and become unmanageable with an additional Oscar & JD.

 

Thank you so much for all your help