Can jack dempseys live with rosy barbs?

Verdict
No

No. Jack dempseys and rosy barbs should not share a tank. An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches rosy barbs do.

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 72–77°Jack Dempsey 72–86°Rosy barb 64–77°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.5–7.5Jack Dempsey 6.5–7.5Rosy barb 6–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Jack Dempsey · 10 inRosy barb · 4 in0"2"4"6"8"10"
Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

Jack DempseyRosy barb
Temperature72–86 °F64–77 °F
pH6.5–7.56–7.5
Adult size10.0 in4.0 in
Minimum tank55 gal30 gal
TemperamentAggressiveSemi-aggressive
Swims atMiddleMiddle
GroupAlone or in pairsGroups of 6+
DietCarnivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for jack dempseys

All jack dempsey tank mates

Better tank mates for rosy barbs

All rosy barb tank mates

Questions

Can jack dempseys live with rosy barbs?

No. Jack dempseys and rosy barbs should not share a tank. An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches rosy barbs do.

What temperature suits both jack dempseys and rosy barbs?

72–77 °F. Jack dempseys need 72–86 °F, rosy barbs need 64–77 °F.

What size tank do jack dempseys and rosy barbs need together?

At least 55 gal, set by the jack dempsey. Add space for each extra fish.