Hello everyone, I am new to this forum. I am sure most of you have answered this questions a dozen times so bear with me.
I currently have two JD's in a 55 gallon tank. Got them at the same time at a pet store, so they have been together since then. From research I have done on the internet this is the following information I have found
1) Males are bigger than their female counterparts
2) Females have the blue specs on the jaw, where males do not.
3) Males tend to have more color in their body vs their counterparts
4) Males are the more aggressive of the two sex's and will harass the female in a tank environment.
So now let me tell you what I have
Jack Dempsey 1: This is what i would consider the Alpha dog of the two. It is considerably larger in length, width, and girth (4.5 to 5 inches at this point) Is dark in color, very prominent vertical striping. not alot of speckling on the top half of the fish, mostly in the belly and thats it. bottom of the gills/jaw is almost completely blue. It is also the aggressor and will chase the other dempsey.
Jack Dempsey 2: It is probably only 3.5 inches or so at this point. No speckling in the bottom of the gills/jaw areas. lots of speckling down the full length of the body. Much lighter in color, faint vertical striping. it is orangish-white bottom.
I have also observed them "sizing up" and locking jaws.... and *** been told both can be signs of aggression and mating...
Im a bit perplexed, can someone clear the air for me?
I currently have two JD's in a 55 gallon tank. Got them at the same time at a pet store, so they have been together since then. From research I have done on the internet this is the following information I have found
1) Males are bigger than their female counterparts
2) Females have the blue specs on the jaw, where males do not.
3) Males tend to have more color in their body vs their counterparts
4) Males are the more aggressive of the two sex's and will harass the female in a tank environment.
So now let me tell you what I have
Jack Dempsey 1: This is what i would consider the Alpha dog of the two. It is considerably larger in length, width, and girth (4.5 to 5 inches at this point) Is dark in color, very prominent vertical striping. not alot of speckling on the top half of the fish, mostly in the belly and thats it. bottom of the gills/jaw is almost completely blue. It is also the aggressor and will chase the other dempsey.
Jack Dempsey 2: It is probably only 3.5 inches or so at this point. No speckling in the bottom of the gills/jaw areas. lots of speckling down the full length of the body. Much lighter in color, faint vertical striping. it is orangish-white bottom.
I have also observed them "sizing up" and locking jaws.... and *** been told both can be signs of aggression and mating...
Im a bit perplexed, can someone clear the air for me?