Last Updated on March 14, 2024 by Aftab Tariq
Jack Dempsey fish, also known scientifically as Rocio octofasciata, come from slow-moving rivers in southern Mexico. Belonging to the cichlid family, these fish mirror the aggressive nature of their namesake, the famed boxer Jack Dempsey. Ellen Carozza says,
“A true heavyweight of the underwater realm, the Jack Dempsey fish captivates with its beauty and determination.”
Despite their aggressive demeanour, aquarists are drawn to them for their vibrant iridescence. Jack Dempsey cichlids, as they are commonly referred to, add a splash of colour and vitality to aquariums.
Their popularity stems from both their striking appearance and their intriguing behaviour. These freshwater denizens are prized possessions among fish enthusiasts for their resilience and captivating presence.
Origin of jack dempsey fish
The big jack dempsey fish comes from rivers in Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and Guatemala, where the water moves slowly. People have brought these fish to other warm places. Jack Dempsey, fish like to live where it’s warm all year and where there are plenty of bugs, worms, tiny sea creatures, and small fish to eat.
Electric Blue Jack Dempsey
The jack dempsey fish electric blue is a special kind of Jack Dempsey fish living in Central America’s warm, muddy waters.
A person thought at first it was a mix of different fish, but it turns out it’s just a special colour that some of these fish have naturally. Hobbyists found these unique fish and helped them grow from the original type.
Jack Dempsey Fish Size
When Jack Dempsey fish are fully grown, they can be as long as 15 inches. But when they’re kept as pets, they usually grow to about half that size.
Male Jack Dempsey fish are usually larger than females. Males can grow up to eight inches long, while females usually reach about six inches. On average, these fish live for about 8 to 10 years.
Appearance And Behavior Of Jack Dempsey Fish
Jack Dempsey fish are medium-sized and have shiny scales in many colours. They can be quite aggressive, so there might be better choices for people new to keeping fish.
Shades, Fins And Gender Differences
Jack Dempsey fish are a type of fish with long fins and big, oval-shaped bodies. You can tell the males apart from the females because males are larger and have longer fins. These fish come in different colours: blue, pink, green, silver, and purple.
The colour of a Jack Dempsey fish changes as it gets older. When they’re young, they’re a light grey with some green specks, but when they’re adults, they turn purple with blue, green, or white specks. One type of Jack Dempsey fish that’s popular is the electric blue Jack Dempsey.
It’s a bright blue colour, smaller, and less aggressive than the regular Jack Dempsey fish. Sometimes, the colours of a Jack Dempsey fish might look less bright if they’re stressed out. But during the breeding season, their colours become darker and more intense.
Typical Behavior
Jack Dempsey fish are known for being aggressive. They often chase, bite, or bother smaller or weaker fish. Male Jack Dempseys are even more territorial, meaning they claim parts of the tank as their own and chase away any other fish that come near.
These fish hang out in the tank’s middle or lower parts. They’re most active during the day and like to hide in caves or behind plants most of the time.
Tank AndJack Dempsey Fish Care Rules
Taking care of a Jack Dempsey fish can be tricky because they can be aggressive. People who have cared for other cichlids might find it easier than beginners. It’s important to keep their tank warm and clean and choose tank mates carefully to avoid sickness, stress, and fights. Jack Dempsey fish should be fed a diet high in protein and suitable for carnivores.
Tank And Habitat Requirements
Jack Dempsey fish live in calm freshwater lakes, rivers, and swamps. They like warm, slightly acidic water that’s not too clear and has low light. In their tank, try to make it similar to their natural home so they feel happy.
For one Jack Dempsey fish, you need at least an 80-gallon tank. If you add more fish, you need an extra 55 gallons for each. Having more fish can make them less aggressive. Ensure the tank has plenty of space for each fish to have their area.
Use sandy or muddy stuff at the bottom of the tank, like they have in the wild. Also, put in lots of caves and hiding spots for the fish. It’s good to have plants in the tank, both rooted ones and ones that float. They like plants like anubias and Java ferns because they’re tough.
Floating plants give shade and make the tank feel like a natural home. Avoid using bright lights in the tank because it makes the fish want to hide.
Diseases
Despite their hardiness, Jack Dempsey fish can suffer from various diseases when kept in inadequate water conditions:
Hole in the Head: Hole in the head, a potentially fatal disease, is caused by a protozoan known as Hexamita. It manifests as small pimples and pits on the fish’s head, which can develop into large, white cavities as the disease progresses. Common symptoms include loss of appetite, white faeces, weight loss, and lethargy. Consult your veterinarian for advice on medications to treat this condition.
Ich: Ich, also known as white spot disease, is caused by the parasite Ichthyophthiriusmultifiliis, which appears as tiny white spots on the fish’s body. This disease often enters home aquariums through infected fish, plants, or live foods that must be properly cleaned or sanitized.
Lethargy and tank rubs can indicate Ich. Transfer the fish to a tank with identical water conditions and gradually raise the temperature to speed up the parasite’s life cycle. Medications like Ich-X can kill Ichthyophthiriusmultifiliis.
Tank Mates
Tank mates for Jack Dempsey fish should be chosen carefully because Jack Dempseys are aggressive. It’s best to pick fish similar in size and temperament to Jack Dempsey fish. Avoid putting them with shy or nervous fish that they might bully.
Also, don’t add small fish like tetras or non-fish tank mates like shrimp and snails because Jack Dempseys might see them as food. Good tank mates for Jack Dempsey fish include:
- Other Jack Dempsey fish
- Oscar fish
- Mbuna cichlids
- Angelfish
- Clown loaches
- Convict cichlids
- Plecostomus catfish
- Electric blue acaras
- Silver dollar fish
Jack dempsey fish lifespan
Jack Dempsey fish usually live for about 8 to 10 years. Because they get pretty big, they become the main attraction in a fish tank. They have long fins and big, oval bodies. Female Jack Dempsey fish have shorter fins than males.
jack Dempsey Fish Food
Jack Dempsey fish have a carnivorous diet in their natural habitat, consisting of insects, worms, small fish, and crustaceans. It’s crucial to ensure that these fish receive adequate protein in captivity. Combining dried fish flakes with live or frozen foods can meet their dietary requirements.
For captive Jack Dempsey fish, pellets and flakes formulated for cichlids serve as the mainstay of their diet. Supplementing these processed foods with live or frozen options such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, crickets, fruit flies, and grasshoppers is important. Avoid feeding them plant-based foods as they don’t fulfil their nutritional needs.
Feeding should be done twice daily, offering a pinch of food each time. Provide enough food that the fish can consume within two minutes, and remove any excess to prevent overfeeding and maintain tank cleanliness. Juvenile Jack Dempseys, in particular, requires feeding up to three times daily to support its growth.
Facts about Jack Dempsey fish
Breeding Jack Dempsey fish is straightforward. They’re ready to mate once they hit eight inches in size. Here’s how to breed them:
1: Pick a healthy male and a female.
2: Put them in a breeding tank, separated by a divider. Keep the water conditions like their usual tank but increase the temperature to 84°F. Feed them bloodworms to get them in the mood.
3: When their colours darken, it’s breeding time. Remove the divider, but make sure the female is ready. If not, she might get stressed.
4: The male will chase the female and do a little dance. He’ll also prepare a spot for the eggs.
5: They’ll spawn inside a cave, and the female can lay up to 500 eggs.
6: She’ll guard the eggs for about three days until they hatch.
7: Feed the parents cichlid fish food. They’ll eat and share some with the fry.
8: After three days, remove the parents to prevent them from eating the fry or breeding again.
9: Feed the fry baby brine shrimp or commercial fry food until they’re big enough for adult food, usually when they reach four inches.
Can You Stock Your Aquarium With A Jack Dempsey Fish?
These fish are energetic and can be a bit aggressive. If you can just set up a new tank for them, go ahead! But there might be better ideas than this if you already have a tank with small or delicate fish. Even though they can be tough and lively, Jack Dempsey fish are colourful, resilient, and enjoyable to watch in a home aquarium.
Jack Dempsey Fish Price
You can easily find Jack Dempsey fish in pet shops and on the internet, which come in different colours. The price for one Jack Dempsey fish usually ranges from $15 to $45, depending on its colours and patterns. You can purchase Jack Dempsey fish from these online stores:
LiveAquaria: They offer Common Jack Dempsey fish, electric blue Jack Dempsey fish, and pink Jack Dempsey fish.
Aquatic Arts: They sell Electric blue Jack Dempsey fish.
Jack Dempsey Fish Tank Size?
For optimal care, a solitary Jack Dempsey fish necessitates a minimum tank size of 60 gallons. However, considering their propensity for aggression, it’s advisable to keep multiple Jack Dempseys together, as this can help mitigate their territorial behavior. In terms of tank size, the adage “the bigger, the better” rings true. A larger aquarium not only provides ample space for each fish to establish their territory but also offers a diverse range of hiding spots and territories, promoting a harmonious environment for these vibrant and spirited aquatic inhabitants.
Source
Overview of Jack dempsey fishÂ
Jack Dempsey Fish: Completed Care Guide
What to Know About Jack Dempsey Fish?
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