If you’ve recently picked up a Jack Dempsey Cichlid, you might be considering finding another fish to keep it company and add a little diversity to your marine environment. Which leads to an important question – What are the best Jack Dempsey tank companions?
The Best Jack Dempsey tank mates are fish that have a similar size, and a temperament mild enough to avoid fighting, and strong enough to avoid being driven into the background.
Here, we’ll discuss the Top 12 Best Jack Dempsey tank companions, and the pluses and minuses of each species.
Contents
Jack Dempsey Tank Mates – What You Need To Know:
Before you start looking for tank mates, you’ll need to know what kind of fish your Jack Dempsey is, and what kind of environment it prefers.
Temperament:
Jack Dempseys aren’t shy, retiring fish, and they’ll pick a fight with a fish species that’s too aggressive.
As an ideal tank mate, you’ll want a fish that’s not too aggressive, but also a species that isn’t shy or a pushover. If your chosen tank mate is too timid, they may wind up being pushed out of the picture, or worse, on the menu.
Size:
Jack Dempsey’s aren’t the largest of fish, but they can get to be a fair size.
Males can reach a size of up to 10 inches in length, so you don’t want to choose a 1-2 inch fish unless you know it can keep itself out of trouble.
Competition:
Jack Dempseys are carnivorous fish, who prefer a diet of things like worms, insects and other fish. When choosing a tank mate, you may want to look for fish that won’t be in direct competition for food sources.
Jack Dempseys can be a bit territorial, so fish who know how to share are a bonus.
Parameters and Tank Setup:
Experts in the business suggest a minimum size of a 55 gallon tank, but if you’re planning to add friends to the tank, you’ll probably want to get a larger one.
Jack Dempseys prefer a more tropical environment, so preferred water conditions include the following:
- Freshwater
- Preferred water temperature between 72 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit
- Preferred Ph Balance of 6-7
- Tropical vegetation
Top Jack Dempsey Tank Mates:
What are the top 12 contenders for Best Tank Mates?
- Common Pleco
- Firemouth Cichlid
- Silver Dollars
- Convict Cichlids
- Blue Acara
- Hoplo Catfish
- Iridescent Shark
- Striped Raphael Catfish
- Boesemani Rainbowfish
- Jaguar Cichlid
- Giant Danio
- Tinfoil Barb
What makes these fish the top contenders?
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1. Common Plecos:
- Scientific Name: Hypostomus plecostomus
- Adult Size: Up to 24 inches
- Compatible With: Jack Dempseys, Oscar Fish, Green Terror Cichlids, Dwarf Gourami, Black Skirt Tetra (among others)
- Water Temperature: Between 74 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit
- Minimum Recommended Tank Size: 75 gallons
- Care Level: Fairly easy
- Origin: Central America
Common plecos get their place on the list by virtue of a peaceful temperament, and an armored body that even the most temperamental of Jack Dempsey Cichlids can’t do much damage to.
As an added bonus, their diet is vegetarian, meaning there’s not going to be any competition for food resources.
| Big fish that cannot be injured by temperamental tank mates | Requires a LARGE tank to thrive |
| Eats algae and vegetable matter – no competition for food and helps clean tank | Slow eater |
| Peaceful temperament | Bottom feeders and not brightly colored – not too exciting to look at |
| Similar environmental requirements |
2. Firemouth Cichlid:
- Scientific Name: Thorichthys meeki
- Adult Size: Up to 6 inches
- Compatible With: Jack Dempseys, Rummy Nose Tetra, Clown Pleco, Rainbowfish, Kuhi Loach, Platies (among others)
- Water Temperature: 75 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit
- Minimum Recommended Tank Size: 30 gallons (+5-10 per fish)
- Care Level: Fairly Easy (Just make sure you know their requirements)
- Origin: Mexico and Central America
These fish are a favorite among aquarists for their bright colors, especially the red under the chin that gives them their name. They may be smaller than Jack Dempsey cichlids, but they have a semi-aggressive and defensive nature that means they can hold their own.
As long as they have enough room to respect each other’s territory, these two can make colorful and amiable tank mates.
| Fairly amiable fish, not generally troublemakers | Can become aggressive if territory is not respected |
| Adaptable diets, including crustaceans and worms | May come into food competition with Jack Dempseys |
| Enjoy similar aquatic environments and temperatures | May not fully thrive without higher Ph water (6.5 – 8.0) |
3. Silver Dollars:
- Scientific Name: Metynnis species
- Adult Size: Up to 8 inches
- Compatible With: Jack Dempseys, Kuhli Loach, Common Pleco, Oscar Fish, Clown Plecos, Cory Catfish (among others)
- Water Temperature: 75 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit
- Minimum Recommended Tank Size: 75 gallons
- Care Level: Fairly Easy
- Origin: South America
These bright, schooling fish live up to their name in appearance, as their most common appearance involves bright silver scales and a semi-rounded body.
Silver Dollars are high on the list of Jack Dempsey tank mates because of their peaceful temperament and vegetarian diets
| Peaceful temperament | Schooling fish; require at least 5 to thrive |
| Vegetarian – Keep tank clean | May eat aquarium plant life |
| Extremely hardy and adaptable | Sudden changes can be harmful |
4. Convict Cichlid:
- Scientific Name: Amatitlania nigrofasciata
- Adult Size: 4 to 5 inches
- Compatible With: Jack Dempseys, Clown loach, Silver Dollar Fish, Oscar Fish, Pictus Catfish (among others)
- Water Temperature: 79 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit
- Minimum Recommended Tank Size: 30 gallons
- Care Level: Moderate
- Origin: Central America
Named for the attractive stripes that adorn their sides, these fish may be smaller, but they’ve got plenty of attitude to hold their own with their larger Jack Dempsey cousins. Breeding pairs have been known to drive away a Jack Dempsey that gets too interested in their young.
These fish make good tank mates for that reason, and because they have a flexible diet, and they’ll respect each others territory as long as there’s enough space
| Flexible Diet | Do require some protein – may clash over food |
| Semi-aggressive; can defend their territories | May become aggressive if breeding |
| Enjoy similar habitats | Need room for territory = larger tank |
5. Blue Acara:
- Scientific Name: Andinoacara pulcher
- Adult Size: 6 to 7 inches
- Compatible With: Jack Dempseys, Cory Catfish, Oscar fish, Rainbowfish, Plecos (among others)
- Water Temperature: 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit
- Minimum Recommended Tank Size: 30 gallons
- Care Level: Fairly Easy
- Origin: South and Central America
This fish is a popular choice for its gorgeous coloring, as well as its moderate temperament and fairly easy care requirements. As a tank mate for a Jack Dempsey, it can be ideal as it’s a similar size, has similar requirements, and is capable of defending itself.
| Capable of defending itself against aggressive fish | May become aggressive if conditions aren’t perfect |
| Flexible diet | May compete for food; also need both protein and plant food |
| Hardy fish | Sudden changes can be detrimental |
6. Hoplo Catfish:
- Scientific Name: Megalechis thoracata
- Adult Size: Up to 8 inches
- Compatible With: Jack Dempseys, Black Tetra, Kuhli Loach, Oscar Fish, Jaguar Cichlid (among others)
- Water Temperature: 72 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit
- Minimum Recommended Tank Size: 45 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: South America
These peaceful and energetic catfish may not be brightly colored, but they’re considered excellent tank mates for Jack Dempseys because of an omnivorous diet and their placid nature.
| Easy to feed | May compete for food |
| Calm and protected against aggressive fish | May be aggressive if spawning |
| Easy to manage water needs | Needs plenty of hiding spaces to feel comfortable |
7. Iridescent Shark:
- Scientific Name: Pangasionodon hypophthalmus
- Adult Size: 3 to 4 feet
- Compatible With: Jack Dempseys, Oscar Fish, Silver Dollar Fish, Tinfoil Barbs, Plecos (among others)
- Water Temperature: 72 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit
- Minimum Recommended Tank Size: 300 gallons
- Care Level: Mildly difficult
- Origin: Southeast Asia
These shiny fish are the biggest on the list, but they make a great addition to a tank. For experienced aquarists, they’re considered a good choice because of their placid nature and coloring, as well as a size that makes them poor targets for aggression.
| Extremely hardy | Need a LOT of space |
| Peaceful temperament | Happiest in a school of 4 or more |
| Carnivorous | Compete for food; may attempt to east Jack Dempseys |
8. Striped Raphael Catfish:
- Scientific Name: Platydoras armatulus
- Adult Size: Up to 8 inches
- Compatible With: Jack Dempseys, Oscar Fish, Black Skirt Tetra, Jaguar Cichlid, Bristlenose Pleco (among others)
- Water Temperature: 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
- Minimum Recommended Tank Size: 50 gallons
- Care Level: Fairly easy
- Origin: South America
These mid-size fish are considered an excellent addition due to their calm nature and ‘aquarium cleaner’ reputation. They’ll eat anything organic they can get, which makes feeding them easy.
While they’re often bottom-feeding and nocturnal, they have been known to change both habits over time.
| Highly active and colorful | Mostly nocturnal |
| Peaceful temperament | Prefer to be in schools of 5 or so |
| Omnivorous; eat anything on bottom of tank | May compete for food |
9. Boesemani Rainbowfish:
- Scientific Name: Melanotaeniidae boesemani
- Adult Size: About 4 to 5 inches
- Compatible With: Jack Demseys, Cory catfish, Danios, Tiger Barbs (among others)
- Water Temperature: 81 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit
- Minimum Recommended Tank Size: 30 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: Australia and Asia
The fish are considered among some of the best if you’re looking for something colorful and active to brighten up your tank. With a peaceful temperament and easy care conditions, these community loving fish are an excellent match for any Jack Dempsey
| Peaceful and active | Prefer schooling; females can also become Jack Dempsey targets |
| Not too picky about habitat | Prefers warmer water than Jack Dempseys |
| Omnivores | May compete for food |
10. Jaguar Cichlid:
- Scientific Name: Parachomis managuensis
- Adult Size: 16+ inches
- Compatible With:
- Water Temperature: 73 to 82 degrees fahrenheit
- Minimum Recommended Tank Size: 70-100 gallons
- Care Level: Moderate
- Origin: Central America
These fish are well liked for their coloring and their hardy, adaptable nature. They’re big enough to keep your Jack Dempseys from swimming all over them.
Downside: these fish are fierce and territorial, and if there’s not enough room, your Jack Dempsey’s may wind up on the losing side.
| Adaptable and hardy | Need a LOT of space |
| Carnivorous | Somewhat aggressive |
11. Giant Danio:
- Scientific Name: Devario aequipinnatus
- Adult Size: About 5 inches
- Compatible With: Jack Dempseys, Cory Catfish, Clown Loach, Tiger Barbs (among others)
- Water Temperature: 72 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit
- Minimum Recommended Tank Size: 30 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: South Asia
This peaceful schooling fish is a gorgeous golden color with blue highlights, making it a lovely addition to the tank. Its active nature makes it too fast to be caught by a tempermental Jack Dempsey, but its mild nature can encourage more timid fish to come out more often.
| Omnivorous | May compete for food |
| Hardy and adaptable | Needs space, and a school of 5 or more |
12. Tinfoil Barb
- Scientific Name: Barbonymus schwanenfeldii
- Adult Size: 14 inches
- Compatible With: Jack Dempseys, Silver Dollars, Clown Loach, Jaguar Cichlid (among others)
- Water Temperature: 72 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit
- Minimum Recommended Tank Size: 175 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: Southeast Asia
These beautiful fish are characterized by silver bodies and red fins, a striking combination. An active schooling fish, they’re too big and fast for a tetra to mess with, making them excellent tank mates.
| Primarily vegetarian | Needs a LOT of space |
| Peaceful temperament | Schooling, needs a group of 5 or more |
Final Thoughts:
These are just a few of the fish that can make good tank mates for a Jack Dempsey, so it’s up to you what kind of fish you want.
Just remember, you’ll want something you can manage, and a fish that can handle Jack Dempsey’s territorial nature.
Ian Sterling, founder of Fishlab.com, began his aquarium journey over 30 years ago, driven by a deep fascination for fish and their diverse personalities. His website, Fishlab.com, is dedicated to making fishkeeping accessible and enjoyable, offering beginner-friendly guidance, expert insights, and a community for aquarists to connect and share experiences.