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a fire eel would grow 2 large for a tank of that size, is your looking for a fish that will hide and somewhat looks like an eel, you could do the Dinosaur Eel (Senegal Bichir) or a Peacock eel since they'll only get round 1ft long

Daka<<<<

Cichlids are just tough fish to find tank mates for. I have been looking for ideas for my convicts for a few months now but have had very little luck. I cann't beleive a Jack would be much different. How big is he?

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

hes about 10.5 inches.

Lots of hiding spots might help what ever you put in there. I think that is one of the reasons I am able to keep the fish I have with my convicts.... Good luck!!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

If the Jack is that big already, there's not much of a chance of it growing up with a new fish. That is something you'd do with a 2 - 3 inch baby. Convicts are out of the question for sure and the only way I would add an oscar would be a full grown, 12 inch one. Oscars are big, but not as mean. It's like putting a dopey old great dane in with a rabid pitbull. If you even want to think about it, the oscar would have to be alot bigger than the jack. Plus, a 65 gallon is a bit small for two heaveyweights. In a bigger tank like a 120 or 180 gallon, you could pull it off, but in a smaller tank with less room for territories, it'll be near impossible. They will be all over each other and eventually, you will loose a fish. Most fish, even the heavyweights, don't attack plecos. If yours does, then I wouldn't chance it.

The only fish I would consider putting in there would be a female jack, but then you would have to get rid of the pleco and any other fish in the tank. However, you say you can't find females, so it looks like there isn't much you can do at the moment. (unless you feel like hopping the border and buying a few of our rough-and-ready lady jacks)

- Dj:88)

Yes I've decided to try out the female, now the trick is finding one i found one on aquabid but due to it being someone from America shipping was going to be $75 so thats no good. I really want to find one and see what happens.

Do you have a pet shop that does special orders?

Im not sure if I do or not, does anyone know if the chain Big Al's does?

@I'd reccomend a fire eel. they'll hide from JD if you give them a tube and look so unlike him he'll barely bother it. they also look cool and are very peaceful.

yeah i have a JD and he does fine with a couple of blue acaras but they grew up in the tank so thats prob why...you can try moving the cave and stuff around as you introduce new fish...and as for the convict idea...i tried puttin like 3 in and they were easy pickins...as tough as they are said to be...a JD is tougher

Fire eel might work, but they are nocturnal and would not really do much for your tank. If I'm not mistaken, they get big too.

You might want to try some dither fish such as silver dollars. This will give him something to focus his aggression on. Also the silver dollars will be too quick to catch and will be safe as long as you give them an area where they can hide to get away from the jack.

Giant Danios may also work out ok.......though they stay smaller they are super fast..

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

although i know people say it cant be done I know 2 aquariums that mix new world cics with african cics and have been functional for over 4 years without problem.. a couple of larger malawis...Haps or Mbunas would make old Mean JD a pussy cat

Also what about a Synodontis cat? They seem to be pretty tuff fish. I have a Synodontis eupterus and he holds his own with my cons and he seems to be a quick grower. I have had him since this fall and he has over doubled in size from about 2" to a little over 4" now. They seem to be kind of a pricy fish too. I have seen them for about $15 to $20. I found mine for $7.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Really, there isn't alot of options for tankmates, escpecially in that sized tank.

convicts, convicts,convicts! lol ive kept convicts with jacky dees before with no problems!

I have a very agressive jack dempsey about inches and I was wondering what fish i could put in there with him, if any? He currently has the rule of a 65 gallon tank with a pleco whom he frequently attacks. It was suggested i put 3 or 4 mid sized convicts in there and there would be too many and too fast for him to go after. Is this true? or is my poor fish going to have to live alone forever?

I have and Oscar and a Jack in the same tank and they
love each other they swim together eat together also they
never mess with the pleco I have in there with them. I also
have a Texas Cichlid and there fine just make sure there the same size. but I would take your Jack out put the new fish in rearange your tank plants and any markers and then put him in.

Well i suppose my fish will just have to chill it out alone, seems kind of sad for him