Gotta Problem,

Just introduced a Jack Dempsey to my Oscar and they don't like each other. They are roughly the same size. I was told by the fish store that the Oscar and the Jack Dempsey will get along. Not the case with these two. In fact the Dempsey was in a tank with Oscars when I bought him. Should I just let them go at it until they determine whose the alpha or should I take the Jack back?

just give them a little time to sort things out.
if bullying become unbearable, better choose which
one you like most and return the other one. another
option.......... another tank:laugh:

Welcome to OFL, first of all, what size tank do you have?
and what size is your oscar and jack dempsey?

from my experience with jacks and oscars it is best to get them both as juveniles and let them grow up together. if that cannot be the case them the oscars should be the larger of the two so the jack wont see an oppertunity to try to assert dominace in the tank.

The Jack has gone back.

Thanks for the welcome. Tank is 65 gallons and the Oscar is about the size of my hand 7". The Jack was smaller by a few inches, but he was the aggressor. He has gone back to the store.

Thanks for the advise everyone. Much more informative than the fish store. The Jack was just too aggressive for my recently abandoned Oscar. His tank mate committed suicide by jumping out of the tank. He was trying to knock food out of the automatic food dispenser I had set up..

unfortunatly it wouldnt have got any better in time. i believe you did the right thing by rehoming the jack. your tank is really only big enough for the one oscar and a small tankmate. if you feel the need for another fish in your tank perhaps you could try something a little less aggro like an acara or firemouth.

just a thought

I adopted a 9"Tiger O in Feb, I have him in a 55gal. He grew up with a catfish until he reached 9+" I had to let him go He was stanking the tank..Now his guy seems depressed.
Would silver dollars be good 3+ maybe 2 for company?

just got a jack for my tank my four Oscars seem to like him real well my Oscars are about 2 inches give or take the jack is slightly smaller

happygrl wrote:



dollars make good tankmates for oscars....as long as your tank and filters are adequate