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Rocio octofasciatum
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Rocio octofasciatum

Common Names: Jack Dempsey
Synonyms: Cichlasoma octofasciatus
Heros octofasciatus
Family: Cichlidae
Category: Cichlids
Distribution: America - Central; Yucatan Peninsula, Central America.
Main Ecosystem: Delta; Delta
Temperament: Aggressive; Territorial, aggressive and intolerant. Can be housed with fish of similar size and temperament. If keeping single fish, temperament is less than in pairs.
Diet: Carnivore; Carnivore
Care: Feed with both live fish and vegetable based flakes. Use a thick layer of gravel for burrowing with plenty of caves for hiding places. Plants will be eaten.
pH:
7 - 8
Temperature:
22°C - 30°C
72°F - 86°F
Hardness:
10 dH - 20 dH
Potential Size: Male: 25cm (9.8")
Female: 20.5cm (8.1")
Water Region: Middle, Bottom; Middle-Bottom
Activity: Diurnal; Diurnal
Gender: The male can be identified by its extended anal and dorsal fins. The male's dorsal fin is more brightly coloured.
Breeding: Use neutral water with a higher temperature of up to 28°C. Keep a few large, smooth rocks on the bottom for the female to spawn on. After hatching the babies will be move by the parents to pits dug behind the rocks. Do not remove the parents as they will guard their fry.
Variants: Known color morphs of this fish include the Gold Dempsey, which is almost identical in size and aggression to the regular dempsey, and the Electric Blue Jack Dempsey. The Blue Dempsey is said to be more delicate, less aggressive and smaller than the regular Jack Dempsey.
Comments: A very pretty, but very aggressive fish. The fish was given the common name of 'Jack Dempsey' in honour of the world heavyweight boxing champion of the 1920s (known as 'The Manassa Mauler') in recognition of the fish's VERY strongly developed territorial instincts, and willingness to engage in ferocious combat over it's perceived territorial 'rights'.
Main Colours:
Markings: Not Specified
Mouth: Not Specified
Tail: Not Specified
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Image Credit: ;bpcichlid
Submitted By: Adam
Contributors: Jason_R_S, Calilasseia, Motag7
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