All fish / Cichlidae

Jack Dempsey

Rocio octofasciata

Also known as jack dempsey cichlid, electric blue jack dempsey, blue jack dempsey, jd cichlid, cichlasoma octofasciatum, jack dempsy, eight-banded cichlid, แจ็คเดมซี่, ジャックデンプシー, jack dempsey, 杰克丹普西, 八线鲷

A sturdy, deep-bodied Central American cichlid with a dark body covered in iridescent blue and green spangles, which become brighter as the fish matures. Keepers value its bold personality, hardiness and the way it recognises its owner, and the electric blue form is a popular line-bred variant.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

20 cm

Temperature

22 to 29 °C

pH

6.5 to 8

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Single specimen or a bonded pair

Diet

Carnivore: quality cichlid pellets, prawns, earthworms, mysis and bloodworm, with some vegetable matter

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Atlantic slope of Central America: southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras

Breeding

Pairs spawn readily on cleaned flat stones and guard the eggs and free-swimming fry together. Breeding is easy once a compatible pair forms, but the parents become very aggressive while protecting young.

Good to know

Males can reach 25 cm and will bully or eat smaller tankmates, so house only with robust fish of similar size in a large tank. Electric blue fish are typically more delicate and less aggressive than the wild-type form.