Jack Dempsey
Rocio octofasciata
Cichlidae
Moderate
Parameter dashboard
Temperature
20-30 °C
pH
6.5-8
Size
20 cm
Lifespan
10 years
Min tank243 L
Price$$$$
DietOmnivore
TemperamentAggressive
OriginCentral America
Shrimp-safeNo
Care guide
The Jack Dempsey cichlid reaches about 20 cm standard length, making it a substantial Central American cichlid that needs a tank with a base measuring at least 120 by 45 cm (about 243 L). The species carries the name of the American heavyweight boxer for its pugnacious temperament — young fish may be kept together but adults turn aggressively territorial, and a mated pair will tolerate only each other. Water should be kept in the 20–30 °C range with a pH of 6.5–8.0. A soft sand substrate is preferred; rooted plants will be dug up, so attach java fern or anubias to driftwood instead. Diet should be varied: sinking cichlid pellets and frozen foods like bloodworm and daphnia, supplemented with blanched vegetables and spirulina. An electric blue strain (EBJD) appears occasionally and tends to stay slightly smaller.
Tankmate compatibility (sample)
Pairwise screening against other species in the database (prioritizing the same family when data is available).
Review first (8)
Caution or avoid from automated rules — confirm before mixing.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegray mbuna Melanochromis johannii Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress Open pair in Compare → |
| Chessboard cichlid Dicrossus filamentosus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress Open pair in Compare → |
| Demon eartheater Satanoperca jurupari Caution | Caution | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress Open pair in Compare → |
| Fasciatus Shell Dweller Altolamprologus fasciatus Caution | Caution | Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together Open pair in Compare → |
| Gold Cap Caudopunctatus Neolamprologus caudopunctatus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress Open pair in Compare → |
| Gold Shell Dweller Lamprologus ocellatus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Humphead cichlid Cyphotilapia frontosa Caution | Caution | Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together Open pair in Compare → |
| Umbrella cichlid Apistogramma borellii Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
4 species with compatible assessment in this sampleCollapse to hide the list; use “Open pair in Compare” for the full matrix.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue acara Andinoacara pulcher var. Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
| Freshwater angelfish Pterophyllum scalare Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
| Livingstonii Cichlid Nimbochromis livingstonii Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
| Moga Hypsophrys nicaraguensis Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
Same rule engine as Compare. Not a substitute for observation, tank size, or acclimation.
Related species
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