Breeding Jack Dempseys

[Grimace]

The third fry has, like the others, vanished. I'm sick of losing my babies and have a new plan I wanted to run by everyone. I still have my 36 gal. And it has no fish yet. What I was thinking was to put the Jacks back in there, let them hatch another fry. Then return the parents to the 125. Problem is, I have no idea how to take care of the tiny babies. What do they eat, need, etc. Thoughts?

[Kramerkt]

When I bred them I left the parents with the babies and they did just fine. The parents and the babies ALONE with no other fish.

If you still don't feel safe leaving the parents with the babies once they hatch have a medium sized sponge filter in the tank. Make sure the filter has gone through a good cycle so that there are lots of bacteria and other goodies growing on it. The babies should feed off of that.

[Grimace]

When I bred them I left the parents with the babies and they did just fine. The parents and the babies ALONE with no other fish.

If you still don't feel safe leaving the parents with the babies once they hatch have a medium sized sponge filter in the tank. Make sure the filter has gone through a good cycle so that there are lots of bacteria and other goodies growing on it. The babies should feed off of that.

the first fry, the male killed all the other fish beside the female JD, including an African Cichlid. The second fry, they were all alone and still disappeared :shrug: Perhaps I did something wrong??? The third, I watched get eaten by others a little at a time when the JDs were distracted fighting other fish :( Regardless, they all disappeared.

[Kramerkt]

I would try puttin the parents in a tank of their own with a sponge filter ready for when the babies hatch. With no other predators around the babies will swim all over the tank. That will hopefully fix your problem.

[Grimace]

I would try puttin the parents in a tank of their own with a sponge filter ready for when the babies hatch. With no other predators around the babies will swim all over the tank. That will hopefully fix your problem.

I didn't have a sponge filter, but this is how they grouped with no predators :shrug: They still all disappeared.

[Kramerkt]

Awesome looking pair of Dempseys!

Do you have any knowledgeable or trustworthy friends/fish stores you can reach out to and get help.

I know of a store in Austin I used to frequent: Aquatek, they are the best. 512 450 0182. Call them. They will help out a lot.

[Grimace]

Awesome looking pair of Dempseys!

Do you have any knowledgeable or trustworthy friends/fish stores you can reach out to and get help.

I know of a store in Austin I used to frequent: Aquatek, they are the best. 512 450 0182. Call them. They will help out a lot.

Thanks for the compliment, they're my favorite fish :grin: I'm in the Houston area though. I was directed to a good fish place, but I've been so busy with school and work that I haven't made the time yet.

[Kramerkt]

I live in Houston as well but I still call them whenever I get stumped or have an odd ball question. Give them a shout when you find a minute.

[Grimace]

will do. Thanks.

[mikeb144]

Having a problem keeping the J.D. babies alive? The only way you are going to achive this is by removing the parents once the fry hatch. If you leave them in the tank THEY WILL EAT THE BABIES. Everything might be ok for a few days, then they will start to eat the babies. As far as feeding the fry you can get fry food at your LFS called FRIST BITE, or just crush up flakes. Be careful no to over feed!! This is just M/O, but it works for me. Hope this helps.

[Grimace]

Having a problem keeping the J.D. babies alive? The only way you are going to achive this is by removing the parents once the fry hatch. If you leave them in the tank THEY WILL EAT THE BABIES. Everything might be ok for a few days, then they will start to eat the babies. As far as feeding the fry you can get fry food at your LFS called FRIST BITE, or just crush up flakes. Be careful no to over feed!! This is just M/O, but it works for me. Hope this helps.

Thanks, that is exactly what I'll do.