Can jack dempseys live with apistogramma?
Verdict
No
No. Jack dempseys and apistogramma should not share a tank. An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches apistogramma do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches apistogramma do.
- Deal breakerJack dempseys are aggressive and much bigger than apistogramma.
What works
- Both are fine at 75–84°F.
- pH 6.5–7 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: jack dempseys the mid, apistogramma the bottom.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Jack Dempsey | Apistogramma | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–86 °F | 75–84 °F |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 | 5–7 |
| Adult size | 10.0 in | 3.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 55 gal | 20 gal |
| Temperament | Aggressive | Semi-aggressive |
| Swims at | Middle | Bottom |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | Alone or in pairs |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
Better tank mates for jack dempseys
Better tank mates for apistogramma
Questions
Can jack dempseys live with apistogramma?
No. Jack dempseys and apistogramma should not share a tank. An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches apistogramma do.
What temperature suits both jack dempseys and apistogramma?
75–84 °F. Jack dempseys need 72–86 °F, apistogramma need 75–84 °F.
What size tank do jack dempseys and apistogramma need together?
At least 55 gal, set by the jack dempsey. Add space for each extra fish.