Can guppies live with jack dempseys?
Verdict
No
No. Guppies and jack dempseys should not share a tank. An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches guppies do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches guppies do.
- Deal breakerJack dempseys are aggressive and will bully peaceful guppies.
What works
- Both are fine at 72–82°F.
- pH 6.8–7.5 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: guppies the top, jack dempseys the mid.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Guppy | Jack Dempsey | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–82 °F | 72–86 °F |
| pH | 6.8–7.8 | 6.5–7.5 |
| Adult size | 2.0 in | 10.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 10 gal | 55 gal |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Aggressive |
| Swims at | Top | Middle |
| Group | Groups of 3+ | Alone or in pairs |
| Diet | Omnivore | Carnivore |
Better tank mates for guppies
Better tank mates for jack dempseys
Questions
Can guppies live with jack dempseys?
No. Guppies and jack dempseys should not share a tank. An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches guppies do.
What temperature suits both guppies and jack dempseys?
72–82 °F. Guppies need 72–82 °F, jack dempseys need 72–86 °F.
What size tank do guppies and jack dempseys need together?
At least 55 gal, set by the jack dempsey. Add space for each extra fish.