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I know that overfeeding is a big problem, but I'm just wondering how much is a good amount. I have a Jack Dempsey who's about 3.5 inches (and growing RAPIDLY). I know it's better to feed him smallish meals several times a day, but about how much is right?
I've been using Cichlid staple mini pellets and Cichlid gold medium pellets.

Regardless of the amount you feed any tank or fish I would prefer to do it once only per day.
The more food means more poop and uneaten food on the bottom of the tank. The amount required for feeding is "usually" and there would be no set rule would be so that all the food is eaten within a few minutes.

Remember there are the rules which "they say" this possibly comes from the UNI of "They Say"

In you case if it is one fish only you will just have to watch carefully at each feeding time.

For feeding I have always used a cooking measuring spoon in this way I know exactly the amount of feed I always use.

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I would still run with multiple feedings per day. However, I'd keep him just a tad hungry at the end of each meal. That way you're less likely to see waste food lying around, though be advised that Cichlids can be somewhat messy feeders.

If you're feeding Cichlid pellets, I'd check the size. If the fish appears to move the pellet in and out of its mouth a few times before swallowing food, then try cutting the pellets in half with a knife before feeding if it's possible. Morsels that can be chewed and swallowed without too much effort are again less likely to contribute to tank pollution than morsels requiring some oral gymnastics on the part of the fish.

Plus, I would give serious consideration to using live foods with a growing Cichlid. One good reason being that many live foods stay alive while the fish decides to eat them, and thus don't contribute a major pollution hazard while alive. If you can find some live Daphnia (and some dealers may stock this - mine does, but then you're on a different continent!) then try feeding live Daphnia to your Dempsey and watch the fun and frolics!

At 3.5 inches in length, your Dempsey will also be able to tackle bigger live foods. Crunchy insect treats spring to mind here, principally aquatic insects such as Damsel Fly nymphs. As the Dempsey grows bigger, Dragon Fly nymphs and the occasional small water beetle can be added to the list. Bear in mind that with insect based foods, you will have to siphon out the bits that the Dempsey spits out, but since these are chitinous, they take a long time to begin rotting, and so you have some time on your hands in this vein. Once the fish has piled on some body mass, household cockroaches will also be on the meny, along with earthworms. Be careful with earthworms though, as big Cichlids can become addicted to them and start training you, the owner, to provide these treats on demand if you let them! Do NOT underestimate the ability of an large Cichlid to engage in the Pavlovian conditioning of its owner in this regard - you are dealing with a highly evolved and intelligent fish, one that soon learns to associate the big guy on the outside of the tank with all manner of yummy goodies, and if the fish can train you to provide a continual stream of its favourites, it WILL.

Here is a list of food items found as stomach contents of wild Dempseys that should give you some interesting ideas. Such as breeding freshwater shrimps as food for the Dempsey. Something like Gammarus freshwater amphipods will be relished by a Dempsey, along with bigger shrimps - chances are if you cultivate some of the Neocaridina freshwater ornamental shrimps in another aquarium, the Dempsey will make short work of any surplus offspring. The beauty of using creatures such as this as live foods being, again, that they don't pollute the aquarium while the Dempsey decides whether or not to eat them.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Thanks! I was hoping that someone would mention appropriate live food, since that's of particular interest to me :-D