Aggressive tank - Jack Dempsey/Convict.

[Stephanie]

I've always had a thing for Jack Dempsey's and purchased two just recently, which are living quite happily with two convicts. The Dempsey's are almost two inches, convicts are 1.5" and about 1 but definitely hold their own. They're also staying away from my pleco which is nice. I am planning on upgrading to a 300l tank, maybe bigger, I have no idea, all I know is they're going to need more room soon enough, and bigger is always better when it comes to fish tanks!

Now i'm pretty sure i've limited my options by having a real thing for fish that can't be kept with much else, but does anyone keep these species with other things? I like watching the 5 of them just doing what they do but I keep thinking there must be a way, provided there is enough space and hiding spots, to keep similar species together. I guess it's all trial and error, i'd rather not risk it too much, but if anyone has any suggestions i would appreciate it!

[snookie]

It depends on the sex of the fish , breeding etc.. may be add a pleco

[Stephanie]

I think I may have a male and a female convict, too tiny to tell. Will be swapping Dempsey's if they both turn out to be male. I have a gold spot pleco in with them. Will change them around depending on sex, but would like to see a selection of them. After having tanks with guppies, swords, tetras, rams, and a fighter pair etc all living together peacefully I like seeing a good selection. Maybe I should just go African and keep the Dempsey tank the same.

[Ira]

I think I may have a male and a female convict, too tiny to tell. Will be swapping Dempsey's if they both turn out to be male. I have a gold spot pleco in with them. Will change them around depending on sex, but would like to see a selection of them. After having tanks with guppies, swords, tetras, rams, and a fighter pair etc all living together peacefully I like seeing a good selection. Maybe I should just go African and keep the Dempsey tank the same.

If you like a good selection you don't want an African tank. There's only one species of african cichlid, they just come in different colors.

[Duncan7]

It depends on the sex of the fish , breeding etc.. may be add a pleco

What snookie said, if either of the spp forms a pair there will be agro, two male dempseys together may be ok, as you say trial and error.

You can definately add more fish, as long as your tank can hold them, the pleco shouldnt get any trouble from them either.

You could try some other fish i have clown loaches and a featherfin syno with my big JD female and had a adult female convict in there too. Ive never found JD's to be that agro unless breeding, convicts similar actually but maybe more teritorial.

But yeah if there is any pairs in the tank there will be issues.

[firenzenz]

If you like a good selection you don't want an African tank. There's only one species of african cichlid, they just come in different colors.

Sounds like something 'Joey Johns' would say

I think there are lots of options to go with your fish but as others have said sexes and individual personalities of your fish will be factors. If you're looking to breed then you need to be realistic about tankmates. If not then perhaps think if you need pairs at all then Aro's plecs, tinfoil barbs, and a bunch of other SA and CA cichlids could suit

There are a few "compatabilty' charts like this around you could have a play with.

http://www.tropicalfishandaquariums.com ... /index.php

Out of interest. I have an african show tank and off the top of my head i can think of 12 genus with 16 species in it and that is predominantly from one of the rift lakes, not to mention the other lakes and riverine genus/species.