Can rams live with jack dempseys?
Verdict
No
No. Rams and jack dempseys should not share a tank. An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches rams do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches rams do.
- Deal breakerJack dempseys are aggressive and will bully peaceful rams.
What works
- Both are fine at 80–86°F.
- pH 6.5–7 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: rams the bottom, jack dempseys the mid.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| German blue ram | Jack Dempsey | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 80–86 °F | 72–86 °F |
| pH | 5–7 | 6.5–7.5 |
| Adult size | 2.5 in | 10.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 20 gal | 55 gal |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Aggressive |
| Swims at | Bottom | Middle |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | Alone or in pairs |
| Diet | Omnivore | Carnivore |
Better tank mates for rams
All german blue ram tank mates
Better tank mates for jack dempseys
Questions
Can rams live with jack dempseys?
No. Rams and jack dempseys should not share a tank. An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches rams do.
What temperature suits both rams and jack dempseys?
80–86 °F. Rams need 80–86 °F, jack dempseys need 72–86 °F.
What size tank do rams and jack dempseys need together?
At least 55 gal, set by the jack dempsey. Add space for each extra fish.