{"product_id":"jack-dempsey-cichlid-rocio-octofasciata","title":"Jack Dempsey Cichlid | Rocio octofasciata","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Jack Dempsey wears a constellation of electric-blue and green spangles over a dark body, paired with a fighter's temperament that earned it the name of the legendary boxer. Hardy, bold and full of attitude, it is a classic American cichlid that rewards a keeper with space. Males reach around 20–25 cm, so this is a substantial fish that needs a roomy, well-structured tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRocio octofasciata is native to the slow, warm waters of Central America, from southern Mexico through Guatemala and Honduras. It lives in canals, drains, weedy lagoons and swampy backwaters with soft substrates and plenty of cover, tolerating a wide range of conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA deep, robust cichlid body. Adults are dark charcoal to near-black, lit up with rows of glittering blue-green spangles across the flanks, face and fins. Mature males are larger with longer, more pointed fins and heavier spangling; colour intensifies dramatically when the fish is displaying or breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSemi-aggressive and territorial, and decidedly grumpy at breeding time. Individual temperament varies — some are relatively placid, others genuinely feisty. Keep with other robust, similarly sized cichlids and fish too large to be eaten, in a tank with clear sightlines broken up by rock and wood to defuse aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn unfussy omnivore with a carnivorous streak. Feed a quality cichlid pellet as the staple, along with frozen and meaty foods such as prawn, mysis and earthworm, plus the occasional vegetable matter. Avoid overfeeding fatty mammalian meats.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide at least 200 litres for a single fish and 250 litres or more for a pair or community, with a soft substrate, sturdy rockwork and driftwood. Neutral to moderately hard water suits it, and strong filtration is important as this is a big, messy eater. It is very hardy and forgiving of beginners willing to meet its size and filtration needs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn open substrate-spawner and a devoted biparental guardian. A bonded pair cleans a flat rock, lays several hundred eggs and defends the fry aggressively against all comers. Breeding is easy — the challenge is managing the pair's aggression toward tank mates while they are in parenting mode.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRocio octofasciata\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJack Dempsey Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral America (Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–25 cm (males; females smaller)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–12 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (territorial, feisty when breeding)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner–Intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (cichlid pellet, frozen and meaty foods)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–20 dGH (neutral to hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRobust American cichlid tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo (digs and may uproot plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther medium-large American cichlids of similar temperament (firemouths, convicts, larger Central Americans), robust catfish such as pleco and larger synodontis, and big, fast tetras or barbs that can stay out of reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSmall community fish that will be eaten or bullied, delicate long-finned species, shrimp, and much larger or more aggressive cichlids that will dominate it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232809369891,"sku":"AA1505","price":21.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232809402659,"sku":null,"price":26.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232809435427,"sku":null,"price":31.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-25cm)","offer_id":55351966335267,"sku":null,"price":36.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Jack_Dempsey_316c83f8-30cd-4429-bb7e-b8e6355edcab.jpg?v=1781699436","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/jack-dempsey-cichlid-rocio-octofasciata","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}