Jack Dempsy Cichlids

Question
Hi Karen
   I've had a 30 gallon tank set up for a while and added 2 Jack Dempsy Cichlids about a month ago.  One male and one female.  They were both put in at the same time and they are the only 2 fish in the tank.
   My question is, the male chases the female almost constantly and even tracks her down in hiding.  Her fins are tattered and she has been nipped at quite a bit.  I feel terrible for her.  Is there anything I can do short of getting her own tank?  I'm worried that he won't stop until she's dead.  The pet store said they would be fine together.
   Funny thing is, sometimes they hang out together and rub on each other.  Why is this?  Also, she is very aggressive towards him at feeding time, sometimes chasing him into hiding.
   If there is anything I can do to make her life better, please let me know.
   Thanks for your time.


Answer
Dear Matt,
Well, what it sounds like to me is your Jack dempseys are showing the typically "Pair displaying" that Dempseys do. It's quite normal to see them lip-lock, rub against each-other, and chase one another around the tank. The fact that the female chases the male into hiding must mean that she isn't too badly damaged. I know its difficult to watch things like this but usually that is just the way of the cichlids.

Just make sure there are plenty of hiding places and the pair are about the same size. Too large of a male dempsey can mean that could do severe damage to a smaller female.

All you can really do is watch and make sure the female isn't being too overly stressed ((Clamped fins, at the surface of the tank or laying on the bottom, gasping really heavily)) then you may have to remove her.

Please visit this excellent website dedicated to Jack dempseys for more info ((Including videos of Jack dempsey fry))

            http://www.geocities.com/jackarthur46/index.html

Best of luck with everything!
The only other thing you could do short of getting the poor female her own tank is to put a tank divider in it.

I hope this helps!
Karen~