Can Jack Dempsey and Red Tailed Black Shark Live Together?

Jack Dempsey is a semi-aggressive species (8/10), while Red Tailed Black Shark is semi-aggressive (7/10). This modest difference means Jack Dempsey may occasionally assert dominance over Red Tailed Black Shark.

Both Jack Dempsey and Red Tailed Black Shark are highly aggressive, increasing the risk of violent confrontations.

Jack Dempsey and Red Tailed Black Shark both frequent the Middle (Open Water) and Bottom (Substrate) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Two territorial species may clash over territory, especially in smaller tanks.

Worth noting: Red Tailed Black Shark is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

To improve the chances of a peaceful coexistence in this community tank: Provide a significantly larger tank (at least 50% more volume than the minimum) to allow both Jack Dempsey and Red Tailed Black Shark to establish separate territories. Add plenty of line-of-sight breaks using driftwood, rocks, and dense planting to reduce territorial confrontations.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 22°C and 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 25.0°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 5–15 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range. An aquarium test kit is recommended for monitoring.

To house Jack Dempsey and Red Tailed Black Shark together, plan for an aquarium of at least 250 litres with a minimum length of 120 cm. This accounts for the larger species' space requirements with an additional 20 % buffer to reduce territorial tension.

Because this pairing requires extra vigilance, include plenty of hiding spots — caves, driftwood, and dense plant clusters — so the less dominant fish can retreat when needed.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Sand (Sifters), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Plants - Densely covered. Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Note a potential conflict in setup requirements: Jack Dempsey is a plant destroyer, which conflicts with Red Tailed Black Shark's requirement for live plants. Compromise where possible or prioritise the more critical need.

Both species do well with moderate (standard) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.