EBJD - signs I should look for?

**Rocksor** · 10-25-2012, 04:01 PM

On average EBJD's are notoriously slow growers. Think 4" in about 3-4 years. However, this guy has been working years to produce a good stock of EBJD. He breeds a normal JD back into the line in order to get a Blue Gene JD which will then get him the EBJD.

Published on Aug 11, 2012 by rickscics

ADULT ELECTRIC BLUE JACK DEMPSEY SPECIES TANK , Three year old's .
Largest males are around 8 inches. lol,sounds familiar?
The two spawning pairs keep the other fish confined to a small area of the tank. The video is with natural room light.

**fishmommie** · 10-25-2012, 04:54 PM

Rocksor - thanks for the info. he sure has gorgeous fish.
Have been toying with the idea of moving this guy to my 30 gal - very peaceful tetra tank - and letting him grow out a bit in there but someone, can't remember who, didn't think that would be a good idea. Not sure why. afraid of stunting, maybe? But I'm thinking a year or so in that tank might give him the head start he needs??
I was not well informed when I bought him - my bad - and have since learned how difficult they are to grow out. want to do the best for the fish. I might just contact the guy who posted the video as I'm certain he will have a lot of knowledge in the EBJD area. thanks again

**sheamurai** · 01-07-2013, 08:03 PM

Just thought I'd update this.

My guy is a touch over two years old now. He's gotten to the 4" mark, and while he doesn't look robust, he certainly is not looking poorly.

Still only eats algae wafers, oddly enough, spits out pellet and won't touch flake. Will eat a bite of frozen once in awhile.

I'm not worried about losing him anymore, but I do wish he'd eat better and grow out!

**fishmommie** · 01-07-2013, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by sheamurai

Just thought I'd update this.

My guy is a touch over two years old now. He's gotten to the 4" mark, and while he doesn't look robust, he certainly is not looking poorly.

Still only eats algae wafers, oddly enough, spits out pellet and won't touch flake. Will eat a bite of frozen once in awhile.

I'm not worried about losing him anymore, but I do wish he'd eat better and grow out!

I'm glad to hear your update and so glad he made it past the danger zone. I moved mine out of the 90 where he couldn't compete for food and into my 30 over a month ago. He's with my tetras where he seems to be doing well. He also is a very picky eater. the ONLY thing he goes after with any aggression are frozen blood worms. I only feed them to the tank once a week as a treat and he's like a squirrel gathering nuts for the winter LOL. He just goes crazy over them. If he's eating anything else, I don't see it. turns his nose up at flakes, shrimp and cichlid pellets. While he used to like algae wafers, he ignores them and the veggie chips I sink for him and the corys. He may forage after dark but he's really not shy so it would surprise me if he only ate at night. Very sweet fish. 0 aggression. When I first added my GBR he was like - " OH - a cichlid MY size" and followed him around like a puppy for the first day. now he ignores him and all the rest of the fish.

I'd say he's a tad over 2 1/2 inches now (was around 2 to 2 1/4 when I got him) so he is growing but very slowly.
So - I have hope that since yours made it, he will too. If I can get him up to 3 inches, I think I'll put him back in the 90 and see how he fares there. But that's months away and a lot could happen between now and then.

Again, so glad yours is doing well!

**sheamurai** · 01-07-2013, 09:18 PM

Glad yours is doing well too! I must say tho, that since mine has gotten older, his aggression has increased. The older he gets, it seems, the grumpier he gets. Just something you might want to watch with yours too.

**fishmommie** · 01-07-2013, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by sheamurai

Glad yours is doing well too! I must say tho, that since mine has gotten older, his aggression has increased. The older he gets, it seems, the grumpier he gets. Just something you might want to watch with yours too.

thanks for the heads up. I will watch him. If he starts getting ornery he may end up in the 90 with the other cichlids before i'd planned.

Did you, by any chance, check out the link Rocksor posted about the guy in CA who has perfected the species? I've chatted with him. he says his fish don't have the digestive issues and their temperament is sweet as can be. While I have fingers crossed that mine makes it, if he doesn't I may try one of his fish. the colors are incredible.

**sheamurai** · 01-07-2013, 09:53 PM

Nah, its pretty much impossible getting fish shipped across the border!
Jealous tho, this guy seems to have the only strong stock that I've ever heard of.
;) you should get one anyway!

**~firefly~** · 01-07-2013, 09:55 PM

Well, I've learned something today. I didn't know about this genetic weakness either.

**sheamurai** · 01-07-2013, 10:05 PM

Its a flaw from intense inbreeding. I imagine it will work itself out as the variation becomes more popular and the breeding stock gets larger. As I think the fellow in the link above has done, used disparate specimens to breed, rather than fish purchased from a single batch at the fs like most amateur breeders do.

**fishmommie** · 01-07-2013, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by sheamurai

Nah, its pretty much impossible getting fish shipped across the border!
Jealous tho, this guy seems to have the only strong stock that I've ever heard of.
;) you should get one anyway!

Don't think I haven't thought about it. It will all depend on my little guy. I have room for 1 in my 90 -- but then I'm talking mature adult size so, as slow as they grow maybe I could have 2 for a while at least. A lot can happen in 2 - 3 years with fish. fortunately, he won't ship during the winter so I have a lot of time to think about it LOL