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Freshwater fishJack Dempsey Cichlid
Jack Dempsey Cichlid
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The Jack Dempsey cichlid is originally from Central America. These colorful cichlids are easy to breed in aquariums and are now quite common in the aquarium trade as hardy beginner cichlids.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Rocio octofasciata |
| Origin | Central America (Mexico to Honduras); aquarium-bred |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive (territorial, especially when breeding) |
| Adult Size | Up to 8–10" |
| Lifespan | 8–10 years |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Water Temperature | 75–82°F |
| pH | 7.0–8.0 |
| Group Size | Single or pair |
| Shipping Size | Approx. 1–1½" |
Care Guide
Tank setup: Give them a sand or gravel bottom, rocks, caves and driftwood to create territories. Anchor decorations well, since they like to dig. Strong filtration is important.
Feeding: Feed a quality cichlid pellet or flake once or twice a day. They also enjoy frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp.
Tankmates: Keep them with other robust Central American cichlids of similar size, plus larger catfish and plecos. Give each fish its own territory, and avoid small or timid fish.
Good to know: Central American cichlids are hardy and easy to breed. Pairs become very protective of their eggs and fry.
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