not diging Jack Dempsey?

[svetlana]

I aquired Jack Dempsey (~4") who lived fro 2 weeks in 10g and now is living for 2 weeks in 57g. I have some palnts. I've never seen him touching any of them. From what I've read this fish is "gardening" specialist meaning he digs all the plants and throws them around.
Well, the tank looks barren from lack of live plants, moreover maintenace is harder because he pee's or, whatever , a lot and nitrates accumulate real quick w/o live palnts.
I'm wondering, since he never tried "gardening" maybe he is not the type?
I ordered tons of plant from the Internet and want to make really dense tank with CO2 in a near future. Is it possible that he will never mess palnts?
He looks stunning and if he behaves he'll be highly rewarded!
I build two rocky caves which I am planning to overgrow with java moss, put these nice merimo (?) balls and floating plants and couple of red swords.
Will it work (feebly)?

Thanks!

 

[Orion]

They do not go around a tank looking for a plant to uproot. They just like to dig, and sometimes a plant just happens to be in an area that they want to dig in.

My best sugestion would be to research what kind of habitat they come from, and try to mimic this in your tank. If you can pursuade the fish to stay on one side of the tank, away from the more delicate plants, and only have tougher plants on its side, then I'm sure that everyone would be much happier that way.

 

[svetlana]

He is not digging either. He has curious habit: when he's stressed (I had to do big water changes and build the caves), he is standing on his head tail up.
It's very easy to snap him out of bad mood - give him an earthworm. he is getting so excited after first bit that I have to wait when he calms down so to give him the rest of the worm.
I bought tough plants and some of them floating and also moss. Maybe I'll be ok then. He is a male, and I'm not going to pair him so maybe digging behaviour will be inhibited.