Cichlid Jacka Dempsey
Jack Dempsey Cichlid or Morning Dew Cichlid, scientific name Rocio octofasciata, belongs to the Cichlidae family. Another popular name is Eight-banded Cichlazoma. The fish is named after American boxing legend Jack Dempsey for its pugnacious nature and powerful appearance. And the second name is associated with color – “Rocio” just means dew, meaning specks on the sides of the fish.
Contents
Habitat
It comes from Central America, mainly from the Atlantic coast, is found in the territory from Mexico to Honduras. It lives in the lower reaches of rivers flowing into the ocean, artificial channels, lakes and ponds. Not uncommon to be found in large ditches near agricultural land.
Currently, wild populations have been introduced to almost all continents and can sometimes be found even in reservoirs in southern Russia.
Brief information:
- The volume of the aquarium – from 250 liters.
- Temperature – 20-30°C
- Value pH — 6.5–8.0
- Water hardness – soft to hard (5-21 dGH)
- Substrate type – sandy
- Lighting – subdued or moderate
- Brackish water – no
- Water movement – light or moderate
- The size of the fish is 15–20 cm.
- Nutrition – any with herbal supplements in the composition
- Temperament – quarrelsome, aggressive
- Keeping singly or in pairs male female
Description
Adults reach a length of up to 20 cm. Stocky powerful fish with a large head and large fins. There are turquoise and yellowish markings in the color. There is also a blue variety, believed to be a decorative stamp derived from a natural mutation. Sexual dimorphism is weakly expressed, it is problematic to distinguish a male from a female. A significant external difference can be the anal fin, in males it is pointed and has a reddish edging.
Food
An omnivorous species, gladly accepts popular types of high-quality dry, frozen and live foods with herbal supplements. The best option is to use specialized food for Central American cichlids.
Maintenance and care, arrangement of the aquarium
The size of the aquarium for one pair of cichlids starts from 250 liters. The design uses a sandy substrate with several large smooth stones, medium-sized driftwood; dimmed lighting. Live plants are welcome, but species that float near the surface should be preferred, as the root ones are more likely to be uprooted by such active fish.
Key water parameters have wide allowable pH and dGH values and a wide range of comfortable temperatures, so there will be no problems with water treatment. However, the Eight-banded Cichlazoma is extremely sensitive to water quality. Once you skip the weekly cleaning of the aquarium, the concentration of organic waste can exceed the permissible level, which will inevitably affect the well-being of the fish.
Behavior and Compatibility
A pugnacious, quarrelsome fish, it is hostile both to representatives of its own species and to other fish. They can only be kept together at a young age, then they should be separated singly or in a male/female pair. In a common aquarium, it is desirable to keep with fairly large fish exceeding the Jack Dempsey cichlid one and a half times. Smaller neighbors will be attacked.
Fish diseases
The main cause of most diseases is unsuitable living conditions and poor-quality food. If the first symptoms are detected, you should check the water parameters and the presence of high concentrations of hazardous substances (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, etc.), if necessary, bring the indicators back to normal and only then proceed with treatment. Read more about symptoms and treatments in the Aquarium Fish Diseases section.
