Jack Dempsey Fish – All you need to know about this Cichlid

Jack Dempsey Fish – Rocio Octofasciata is its scientific name; a species belongs to the Cichlidae Family, of over 1500 species that includes angelfish. They are native to the South Mexico rivers, Honduras, Belize, and Guatemala rivers. 

Jack Dempsey Cichlids are known to thrive in a diverse environment, where other tropical fishes could not survive. They inhabit slow-moving, shallow waters, swampy, murky, muddy, and sandy waters. They are also known to inhabit bogs and irrigation ditches and tend to live around rocks, submerged woods, and weedy zones.

Jack Dempsey is a boisterous and gorgeous-looking fish that are favorite to the most passionate aquarists.

Jack Dempsey Fish Life Span and Physical Characteristics:

Electric Blue Jack Dempsey Fish:

Recently, Electric Blue Jack Dempsey Fish, shortly known as EBD has become quite popular, especially on the internet, partly the aquarium market promoting as a variant to original species of Central and South American river Jack Dempsey Cichlids.

The origin of this species is debatable, some claim the morph has occurred naturally in the wild, whereas, others claim Electric Blue Dempsey is a cross between the original Jack Dempsey Fish with another Cichlid.

All said and done they are stunners; they have a charm of the original Jack Dempsey Fish along with long flowing fins, which is quite a common trait with Aquarium Market Bred Fishes.

Electric Blue Dempsey Fish are smaller and reportedly less aggressive than their original counterparts. 

Even as a baby it has a striking electric blue to grey and exhibits iridescent blue and green flecks just the same as its original counterparts.

Although they are less aggressive than their original counterparts, nevertheless, they are territorial and aggressive enough. 

For Feeding, Breeding, Tank size, and conditions follow the same care as Jack Dempsey Fish.

Jack Dempsey Fish often sold as an infant measuring only 2 to 3 inches (6 to 8 cms) and kept in a display tank together. Neophyte aquarists will not be able to imagine the size of these fishes when they grow up to adults. The male of the species can grow up to 15 inches and the females slightly shorter in length. 

You need to consider a minimum of 55-gallon tank (210 liters)for every Jack Dempsey Fish. A 100-gallon tank (380 liters) could house a pair of this species.

Tank Conditions:

There are many more parameters and equipment to think of when you are bringing one or more Cichlids to your aquarium and keeping them healthy and thriving.

Water Filtration:

Water Parameters and Conditions:

Although Jack Dempsey Fish can thrive in a wide range of water conditions, their native waterways of the South Mexican rivers, Belize, and Honduras rivers are soft and little on the acidic side. 

For Jack Dempsey Cichlids to grow to their fullest potential and to live to their maximum lifespan, it would be advisable to replicate their native habitat. The water pH level can be between 6 to 8. Even though they can live in a wide range of temperature variations 72°-86°F (22°-30°C), it is advisable to maintain the temperature around 80°F (26°C) to keep their temperament under control. 

The water hardness can be between 4-15 dGH and carbonates and bicarbonates (KH) measures can be 4-6 dGH; higher KH prevents large pH swings in your tank over time.

The levels of Ammonia and Nitrite should be 0, as minimum exposure to these toxic substances can stress your fish. Long-term exposure to Ammonia and Nitrite can make the fish vulnerable to many diseases.

Substrate:

Jack Dempsey Cichlids have a natural tendency to dig. If you have a substrate made of green matter and soil, they would destroy it in no time. Experienced aquarists recommend sand or gravel substrates. The sand can settle and level itself after sifting. The gravel forms small mounds and basins after sifting, which can add a character to your aquarium.  

The Cichlids change their colors to match the background. If you would like to see deep dark colors, then use a dark substrate. The iridescent green, blue, golden specks turn even more strikingly beautiful.

Your Jack Dempsey Fish will appreciate some rocks with fissures and driftwood with branches that provide a good hideout and also can use to establish their territories.

Live plants like a Java Moss, Java Fern, Anubias, hornworts, pennyworts, or water lettuce can be grown in a tank with Cichlids. Vallisneria, commonly known as eelgrass, tape grass, or Vallis provides a dense cover for the fish to explore.

Illumination:

Proper lighting is important to bring out the colors of your Jack Dempsey Cichlids. Fluorescent aquarium bulbs are common as they highlight artificial colors of aquarium substrate, plastic plants, and ornaments. However, the natural iridescent colors of Jack Dempsey Fish get lost in this artificial light. Moreover, the bulbs need replacements to maintain the same level of illumination. 

Some of the experienced aquarists recommend LED lighting fixtures. They are durable and uses much less energy. Some LEDs allow you to customize the light colors to highlight the fish colors.

Lighting is purely aesthetical as long as you recreate the slow-moving murky water dim light in the aquarium tank where Jack Dempsey Fish lives.

Temperament and Behaviour:

This Central and South American Cichlid receives its common name to the likeness of legendary boxer Jack Dempsy from the ’20s. So, you don’t imagine seeing even for a moment any docile behavior. The novice aquarists and those who have used to keeping peaceful and docile fish such as Ember Tetra, Neon Tetra, Rainbowfish, White Cloud Mountain minnows, Guppies, Endler’s livebearers, Harlequin Rasbora, Corydoras catfish, etc. will have quite a difficult time with your gorgeous and powerful Jack Dempsey Fish.

Jack Dempsey Cichlids quite often seem shy and hideaway in their cave work. In habitat, they quickly claim a cave-like spot and will be aggressive to other fishes that tread near its territory just like a dog being aggressive to other dogs that pass by their homes.

They stay and swim mostly in the middle and lower levels.

If you are planning to get more than one Jack Dempsey, it is better to keep them in a species-specific tank. A small or a large group of fishes are easier to manage and look after rather than a pair. Jack Dempsey pairs tend to become doubly territorial and exhibit aggressive behavior.

While having Jack Dempsey species-specific tank one major point to consider is that not to keep 2 male Jack Dempseys in the same tank.

Jack Dempsey Fish Tank Mates:

Breeding:

Disease and care:

Like most of the freshwater fishes, they are susceptible to infection and diseases. Ich is one disease that they often get. Increasing temperature up to 86° F (30° C) for a few days can heal the Ich.

Poor water conditions and nutritional deficiency of vitamin C, vitamin D, Calcium, Phosphorus can cause discus, “a hole in the head”.  

To avoid “a hole in the head” disease all you need to do is to take care of the water parameters, clean the filter regularly, and feed them a balanced diet. 

They are also prone to bacterial and fungal infections, parasitic infestations, etc. just like most freshwater fishes. 

Prevention is better than cure:

• Use a slightly larger size filter than the one recommended to you.
• Clean the filters regularly.
• Check the water parameters weekly once and adjust them
• Make sure to feed them with a balanced diet
• Take good care while introducing a new fish into the tank
• Take the utmost care with substrates, plants, and other decoratives.

Is Jack Dempsey Fish right for you? A Summary:

All the aquarists who have kept Jack Dempsey Fish have one thing common to say about whether experienced or inexperienced aquarium keepers is that it is rewarding. They all swear by that they can’t think of having any other fish after Jack Dempsey Fish. 

The Aquarists are deeply enchanted by its fierce look and the personality and how they take to the hands that feed them.

Having a Jack Dempsey Fish is like a pet, just the same as having dogs or cats. 

One another observation newbie aquarists share is that they are shocked to see its slow growth (a couple of months); Do not forget the fact that with the right care and environment their life spans up to 15 years.

If your purse is thick, don’t mind denting it a bit and you like a colorful fish with a strong personality, Jack Dempsey is the Fish for you.