Jack Dempsey Cichlid
Rocio octofasciata
The Jack Dempsey Cichlid (Rocio octofasciata) is an aggressive fish that's a good step up once you have a little experience. Give it a tank of at least 300 litres (79 US gallons), water held at 72-82°F, and a pH of 6-8.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Central America
- Central America & Mexico
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Jack Dempsey Cichlid Tank Setup
Give them at least 300 litres (79 US gallons). Cichlids are territorial and produce plenty of waste, so strong filtration and some rocks or wood to break up sight lines both help. Aim for 72-82°F and a pH around 6-8. They grow to around 25 cm, so plan the tank size and filtration for a full-grown adult rather than the small juvenile you see in the shop.
What Do Jack Dempsey Cichlids Eat?
They're not fussy eaters - feed a varied diet, rotating good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods rather than the same thing every day, and match the food size to their mouths.
Jack Dempsey Cichlid Tank Mates
Highly aggressive; best kept with similarly-sized robust cichlids. Predatory; will eat small fish. The Jack Dempsey Cichlid is aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. It's a known fin-nipper, so avoid bettas, guppies, and other slow, long-finned fish. It's predatory, so anything small enough to fit in its mouth will be treated as food rather than a companion. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Jack Dempsey Cichlids Good for Beginners?
Not a sensible first purchase. Get the tank cycled, keep easier fish stable for a year, then revisit if you still want the extra work this species demands.
Jack Dempsey Cichlid - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Jack Dempsey Cichlids need?
Jack Dempsey Cichlids need a tank of at least 300 litres (79 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Jack Dempsey Cichlids need?
Keep them at 72-82°F with a pH of 6-8, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Jack Dempsey Cichlids eat?
Jack Dempsey Cichlids are omnivores and aren't fussy eaters. Feed a varied mix of good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods, and match the food size to their mouths. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Jack Dempsey Cichlids good for beginners?
Jack Dempsey Cichlids are best for keepers with a little experience. They are manageable once you test water regularly and catch problems early; a complete beginner may prefer something more forgiving first.
Common mistakes with Jack Dempsey Cichlids
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 300 litres (79 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
- Mixing with long-finned fish - Jack Dempsey Cichlids will nip at bettas, angelfish, and other fish with flowing fins, causing stress and infection risk.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Jack Dempsey Cichlids
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Betta (Male)Predator - Betta (Male) will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Neon TetraSize risk - Jack Dempsey Cichlids will likely eat Neon Tetra at adult size
