Jack Dempsey companion question...

[Tommy]

I have a 40 gal. tank in which the only current inhabitant is a male Jack
Dempsey(~5-6"). I had also had 2 bala sharks, 1 yellow lab. and a pleco in
there but during our last winter storm here in the NW, we were out of power
for 4 days and the only fish to make it out of my two tanks was the Jack.

I would like to get a fish or two in the tank with the Jack, but am at a
loss for what I should get. I thought of getting another one (maybe a
female) but the two LSF I've gone into both said not to get another Jack
Dempsey but perhaps another cichlid of equal size and temperament.

Most info I've seen on the internet says that Jack Dempsey's can be kept in
a "species" tank. Does that not mean with other Jacks?

I am also curious if there are any invertebrates (crabs especially) that
would do ok in there.

With only 3+ years under my belt with aquariums, I consider my self rather
new to it still and would appreciate any advice at all.

Thanks,
Tommy

[Mark Stone]

"Tommy" > wrote in message >...
> I have a 40 gal. tank in which the only current inhabitant is a male Jack
> Dempsey(~5-6"). I had also had 2 bala sharks, 1 yellow lab. and a pleco in
> there but during our last winter storm here in the NW, we were out of power
> for 4 days and the only fish to make it out of my two tanks was the Jack.
>
> I would like to get a fish or two in the tank with the Jack, but am at a
> loss for what I should get. I thought of getting another one (maybe a
> female) but the two LSF I've gone into both said not to get another Jack
> Dempsey but perhaps another cichlid of equal size and temperament.
>
> Most info I've seen on the internet says that Jack Dempsey's can be kept in
> a "species" tank. Does that not mean with other Jacks?
>
> I am also curious if there are any invertebrates (crabs especially) that
> would do ok in there.
>
> With only 3+ years under my belt with aquariums, I consider my self rather
> new to it still and would appreciate any advice at all.
>
> Thanks,
> Tommy

Hi Tommy -- The issue here is the size of your aquarium. Although your
Dempsey will not get much larger than his current size, his temperment
may not allow the addition of a tankmate in a 40. If you want to try,
in my experience your best bet would be another JD or a Rio Grande
Perch (more commonly known as the Texas Cichlid), but they would need
to be at adult size to start out with. Additionally, you would need to
stock the tank with a lot of places to hide -- caves, etc., because,
as you know, Dempseys need places to duck into. If they can't hide,
they feel cornered. --Mark