With green terrors and jack dempsey fish both being beautiful looking fish that have an existing group of fish keepers who absolutely love them and share photographs of the fish online with many going viral, more and more people have been looking to add either green terrors or jack dempsy fish to their fish keeping setup.
Due to this, we have noticed a number of people asking for a dedicated green terror vs jack dempsey comparison article recently so we have decided to publish this.
Our goal is that we will be able to help as many of our readers better understand the advantages and disadvantages of both species and who they can be food for.
Although some people do think of green terrors and jack dempsey’s as having an interchangeable role in their tanks for their larger fish, there are some subtle differences between the two that may make one better for your needs.
Are Green Terrors And Jack Dempsey’s Aggressive?
One of the main questions that potential green terror and jack dempsey owners tend to ask is “Are green terrors and jack Dempsey’s aggressive?” and the answer to this question largely depends on a number of factors such as age, tank mates, whether they have been spooked or not and many other things.
Generally speaking, green terrors and jack dempsey’s are both quite aggressive fish but green terrors tend to be the more aggressive of the two.
This is likely due to the fact that green terrors can get slightly bigger than jack dempsesy’s while also being the more adventurous fish where as jack Dempsey tend to be more reserved.
Both jack dempsey’s and green terrors are members of the cichlid family of fish which is well known for being an aggressive family of fish.
In our opinion, both species are too aggressive for a beginner to the fish keeping hobby and you should have a year or more of experience of keeping fish before you look to add either of these to your tank.
What Is The Prey Aggression Like In Green Terrors And Jack Dempsey’s?
Both green terrors and jack dempsey’s have a high prey drive and will feed on smaller animals in their tank. Both fish species tend to prefer a carnivorous side made up of live food too but frozen or freeze fried food can work well too.
One of the main differences in green terror vs jack dempsey aggression when it comes to their prey is that green terrors seem to be a little more adept at catching their food. This is likely due to the fact that green terrors have a slightly higher top speed than jack dempsey’s.
Jack dempsey fish will usually eat insects, worms, and crustaceans as a bulk of their diet in the wild with small fish making up a small part of their calorie intake.
Green terrors tend to eat more fish and have evolved to be better hunters making smaller fish in a small aquarium easy prey for them.
What Tank Size Do Green Terrors And Jack Dempsey’s Require?
Green terrors and jack Dempsey’s are both large cichlid fish that require a fair bit of space in their aquariums. Green terrors can grow up to 18 inches (45 cm) in length where as jack dempsey’s only get to be around 12 inches (30 cm) on average.
This means that green terrors will require an aquarium of at least 125 gallons (473 L) where as a jack dempsey can get by in a 75-gallon (284-liter) tank. Although both can work in smaller tank sizes, they can have problems, especially in a community tank or a tank with the same species of fish that are males as they will fish each other.
We would recommend going for the larger green terror tank size if you have the option as green terrors are quite active fish that love to swim and explore their tanks. If you don’t have the room for a green terror, then a jack dempsey will likely be a better option for you.
What Are The Color And Pattern Options For Green Terrors And Jack Dempsey’s?
Green terrors and jack Dempsey’s are both very colorful fish that can brighten up any aquarium. Green terrors get their name from their green coloration with some having a yellowish color too.
Jack dempsey’s are also gray, purple or deep brown with other colors sometimes being present. The patterns of jack dempseys tend to be blotchy compared to green terrors that have stripes running down their body.
What Is The Maximum Size For Green Terrors And Jack Dempsey’s?
As we briefly mentioned before, green terrors can grow up to 18 inches (45 cm) in length where as jack dempseys only get to be around 12 inches (30 cm).
This large size difference means that green terrors are likely to outgrow their tank mates quite quickly and will need to be moved into a larger aquarium unless you go with a 125 gallon tank from the start.
Please note that these are maximum lengths with many fish never reaching that length due to issues with their diet and potential health problems. Stress and anxiety in the fish can also affect their growth rate too with poor water parameters also playing a role.
Are Green Terrors And Jack Dempsey’s Easy To Care For?
Green terrors and jack dempsey’s are both relativkley easy to care for as long as you meet their basic needs. Neither fish are considered beginner friendly due to their levels of aggression though.
This means that it can take time to find suitable tank mates and even then, you may have problems in your aquarium.
Your green terror or jack dempsey will also need a good quality carnivorous diet that is high in protein. Live food tends to be the best option but freeze-dried and pellets can work well too.
Green terrors tend to do worse on freeze fried or frozen alternatives to live food though where as jack dempseys will usually take to it easily.
One of the main differences in green terror vs jack dempsey aggression when it comes to their prey is that green terrors seem to be a little more adept at catching their food. This can be problematic if the other fish in their tank are not there to be food but to be tank mates.
Are Green Terrors And Jack Dempsey’s A Hardy Fish?
Green terrors and jack dempseys are both considered to be fairly hardy fish that can adapt to a range of different aquarium conditions. That being said, they do prefer slightly warmer water than many other fish with a temperature range of 75-82°F (24-28°C) being ideal.
They also like a pH level of around 7.0-8.0 with green terrors being a little more adaptable to changes in pH levels than jack dempseys.
For the most part though, both green terrors and jack dempsey fish are forgiving towards the common mistakes fish keepers make in their tanks.
Are Green Terrors And Jack Dempsey’s Cheap To Buy?
Green terrors and jack dempseys are both reasonably priced fish that are widely available. That being said, green terrors do tend to be a little more expensive than their jack dempsey cousins with prices starting at around $10.
Jack dempseys can be found for as little as $5 in some stores making them a great option for anyone looking to keep their costs low. Jack dempseys are also much easier to find in most areas in North America and Europe than green terrors.
As with all species of fish though, the ones with the brighter colors and more unique patterns come at a higher price. This is especially true for green terrors and jack dempsey’s as they are two of the more popular fish in the hobby that have such a wide range of coloration options and patterns.
Green Terror Vs Jack Dempsey – What Is The Best Fish For You?
When it comes to the choice of green terror vs jack Dempsey, most people tend to lean towards the jack Dempsey. This is usually because they are cheaper, easier to find and less aggressive than green terrors.
Jack Dempsey fish are also a little more hardy than green terrors and can adapt to a range of different aquarium conditions. That being said, green terrors are still a great choice of fish for anyone looking for a slightly more challenging pet.
Both green terrors and jack dempseys make great additions to any aquarium and it really comes down to personal preference as to which one you choose. Whichever fish you decide on, you are sure to have a beautiful and
