I Just got 2 Jack Dempsey to put in with my two Oscars, Don't worry The tank is going to be upgraded again soon. I'm wondering is it normal that they all play together like school kids? I expected some aggression especially since its a 55 gallon and total of 12" of Oscars to 8" of Jacks. But so far everyone is happy. Their colors are good, activity is active and eating is healthy and hungry. Should I expect to see an injured fish out of the blue someday or am I just really lucky to have Lovable fish.


This is the way my fish were brought together.
First I bought 1 Oscar (Steve) and kept him in a 25 gallon tank, he was about 7 inches. after about two weeks I bought a second Oscar (Sammy) and added him to the same tank with a screen divider. Sammy was about 4 inches.
For four weeks I cycled my 55 gallon by daily adding 2 cups of water from the 25 gallon.
Then I moved Sammy to the 55 and watched him to be sure he was healthy. He didn't eat much but I figured no problem he is a bit nervous it will pass and he looked very bored. I also watched Steve in the 25 gallon and noticed he didn't want to eat much either. 4 days later I added Steve to the 55 with Sammy and Boy let me tell you were they both obviously happy to see each other. I had never see two fish swim around rubbing up against each other so much before. If it were not for the obvious size difference I would have guessed they were a mating pair.

I waited two weeks to be sure there would be no surprises before I added the 2 newly purchased Jack Dempseys. At first I thought there was a problem because the Jacks would not eat but I did see them eating on the third day. On the fourth day I noticed what looked like playing between Sammy and the Jacks. I started watching them from across the room so I didn't disturb them and after a while I noticed they all were calmly swimming up to and against each other gently taking turns following each other and cuddling when they are startled by my kids.
I wondered if maybe they had something irritating their skin so I did my best at looking at each fish closely to see if they had anything out of the ordinary on them but nothing.

Is it possible I have 4 long lost spirits reunited or is this normal for these fish?. I'll see about taking a video sometime soon.

Welcome to the site. congratz on your fish. nice profile photo

Looking forward to seeing ur fish Soo.

When are you upgrading ur tank as Four fish totalling 20"s (12"s of Oscar's and 8"s of JD's) is a lot of fish for a 55gln tank.
I take it it is a 4' tank roughly they are in? You will have to do a lot of water changes until then.

I will be upgrading to 70+ in about 3 months going to build the tank myself just have to make sure I do ALL the research before I start buying materials. Yes it is 4 foot long, I do 1/5 water changes weekly via syphon to clean the tank at the same time. I also have a 25 gallon next to the tank setup with a 2 way syphon so basically I have 80 gallons of water just in 2 tanks. When water change time comes all my tests are good but I have a slight yellow to the water which is fine with me for now.

do you have driftwood in the tank, this can make your water yellowy.
Also i would be going at least 125g for your stock list

Wow,thats superbe fishes that you've got,i really like electric blue jack dempseys and oscars...
Im actually waiting for my oscars to grow to add 2 electric blue jack dempseys.