Care and Compatibility of Jack Dempsey Cichlid - Rocio octofasciata


Introduction

The Jack Dempsey (Rocio octofasciata) is a freshwater fish native to Central America. Its common name, "Jack Dempsey," is derived from its strong and aggressive appearance, in honor of the famous boxer. They are popular fish in the aquarium hobby due to their beautiful colors and distinctive behavior.

Behavior

Jack Dempseys are territorial and aggressive fish. They are often solitary and can show aggression towards other fish, especially during the breeding season. They are active swimmers and enjoy exploring their environment. It is recommended to provide them with hiding places and areas with shelters in the aquarium, allowing them to establish their territory.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism in Rocio octofasciata is minimal and difficult to distinguish. Males tend to be slightly larger and have longer, pointed dorsal fins than females. During the breeding season, males may display more intense colors and pronounced territorial behavior.

Reproduction

Jack Dempseys are known for their interesting and protective breeding behavior. They form pairs and display a strong bond during the breeding season. The male is responsible for building and defending the spawning territory. After breeding, the parents protect and care for the fry until they are large enough to fend for themselves.

Aquarium Conditions

Rocio octofasciata, commonly known as the convict cichlid, is a hardy and adaptable fish that can thrive in a wide range of aquarium conditions. They prefer an aquarium with shelters and hiding spots, such as caves and rocks. They are tolerant of water quality, but benefit from regular maintenance and partial water changes.

Feeding

Jack Dempseys are omnivorous and will accept a variety of foods in their diet. In their natural habitat, they feed on a mix of live foods such as insects and crustaceans, as well as plant matter. In the aquarium, they can be offered commercial foods in the form of pellets, flakes, and live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, shrimp, and mosquito larvae. It is important to maintain a balanced diet to ensure their health and vitality.

Complexity

Caring for Rocio octofasciata is relatively easy. They are robust fish that can survive in diverse water conditions. They are omnivorous and accept a variety of foods, making feeding straightforward. However, they can be aggressive, especially during breeding and territory defense.


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To do an analysis more detailed about coexistence and behavior of Rocio octofasciata (Jack Dempsey Cichlid) use the Aquarium simulation tool, if you do this you can test different ways to combine the Jack Dempsey Cichlid with other fishes giving the dimensions and space on you aquarium, on this way you can known the optimal configuration for keep the fishes that you want.

You can also find out the 31 species compatible with the Rocio octofasciata (Jack Dempsey Cichlid) can live together.

Note: The parameters of the water such as PH and temperature are also used to calculate the compatibility of the species.


Compatible species (31)

Compatible (7 Species)

Compatible without any restriction


Striped Raphael Catfish - Platydoras costatus

Striped Raphael Catfish

Platydoras costatus

Galaxy Plecostomus - Leporacanthicus sp L240

Galaxy Plecostomus

Leporacanthicus sp L240

Lemon Catfish - Hemiancistrus subviridis

Lemon Catfish

Hemiancistrus subviridis

Clown Pleco - Panaqolus maccus

Clown Pleco

Panaqolus maccus

Royal Pleco - Panaque nigrolineatus

Royal Pleco

Panaque nigrolineatus

Suckermouth catfish - Hypostomus plecostomus

Suckermouth catfish

Hypostomus plecostomus

Knowing Yourself From Small (5 Species)

They can live together if they have known each other since they were very small, that is, they grew up and grew up together. it does not work in all cases, there may be exceptions.


Flowerhorn cichlid - Flowerhorn cichlid

Flowerhorn cichlid

Flowerhorn cichlid

Jack Dempsey Cichlid - Rocio octofasciata

Jack Dempsey Cichlid

Rocio octofasciata

Midas king fish - Amphilophus citrinellus

Midas king fish

Amphilophus citrinellus

Green Terror - Andinoacara rivulatus

Green Terror

Andinoacara rivulatus

Oscar Fish - Astronotus ocellatus

Oscar Fish

Astronotus ocellatus

Similar Sizes (1 Species)

They can coexist if they are the same size or very similar sizes, it does not work in all cases, there may be exceptions.


Black bullhead - Ameiurus melas

Black bullhead

Ameiurus melas

With Reservation (15 Species)

Compatible in some cases, it depends on the nature and personality of the fish.


Pez Loro - Red Parrot

Pez Loro

Red Parrot

Horned Snail - Tyloperlamania sp

Horned Snail

Tyloperlamania sp

IndoPlanorbis Exustus - Planorbis planorbis

IndoPlanorbis Exustus

Planorbis planorbis

Anentome Helena - Anentome helena

Anentome Helena

Anentome helena

Stick Catfish - Farlowella acus

Stick Catfish

Farlowella acus

Apple Snail - Pomacea bridgesii

Apple Snail

Pomacea bridgesii

Upside-Down Catfish - Synodontis eupterus

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis eupterus

Red-bellied Piranha - Pygocentrus nattereri

Red-bellied Piranha

Pygocentrus nattereri

Pangasianodon hypophthalmus - Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum - Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Satena Pike Cichlid - Crenicichla strigata Günther

Satena Pike Cichlid

Crenicichla strigata Günther

Sun Catfish - Horabagrus brachysoma

Sun Catfish

Horabagrus brachysoma

Golden Royal Pleco - Sturisoma aureum

Golden Royal Pleco

Sturisoma aureum

Las especies territoriales por lo general pueden convivir con especies protegidas con coraza, ya que no pueden hacerles daño por su dura piel, lo que si hay que tener en cuenta es tener un acuario con dimensiones favorables para que cada pez pueda delimitar un territorio, ya que la mayoría de peces acorazados son también peces de fondo y les gusta estar buscando lugares donde ocultarse.


Spotted Dora Catfish - Agamyxus pectinifrons

Spotted Dora Catfish

Agamyxus pectinifrons

Por naturaleza estos peces saben que no deben comerse a otros peces con exoesqueleto pero podría darse el caso que intente comerlo por hambre o por personalizad del pez.


Showdown over territory (1 Species)

Fish can live together as long as the space is spacious enough to delimit a territory, otherwise there may be aggressions for competing for the territory.


Rio Grande cichlid - Herichthys cyanoguttatus

Rio Grande cichlid

Herichthys cyanoguttatus

Considerable size difference (2 Species)

They can coexist while they are similar in size or the size difference is not very abysmal, since as the fish grows it increases the chances of eating its partner that did not grow much.


Leopard Cactus Pleco - Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Leopard Cactus Pleco

Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Nerite Snail - Neritina sp

Nerite Snail

Neritina sp

Jack Dempsey Cichlid

Rocio octofasciata

Jack Dempsey Cichlid - Rocio octofasciata
  • Ph: 6.8 - 8
  • Temperature (c°): 24 - 30
  • Measures: 30 cm
  • Aquarium Capacity:
    210 Liters - 55 Gallons
  • Behavior: Aggressive
  • Size: Big
  • Swimming area: Swim in the middle of the aquarium
  • Water Type: Sweet water