Genus – Cichlasoma
Scientific Name - octofasciatum ... syn=(C.biocellatum)
Common Name – jack dempsey
Locality - Atlantic slope in SE Mexico to Belize … found in the lakes and rivers ... prefers slower moving waters
pH – 7.0-8.2
Temperature (in F) - 74-86F (80-84F for breeding)
Max size (in inches) - 6-8"
Minimum tank size - at least 30g
Sociability - Depends on fish ... Some are quite friendly, while others are really aggressive
Breeding - Egglayer ... Fish will form strong pair bonds
Temperament - Same as sociability
Comments – Very personable fish … males may develop a slight nunchal hump with age
Personal Experience - I purchased 5 juveniles and grew them out in a 40Long tank … from these I have had one pair form at the 3-4 inch mark and they had been spawning semi-regularly since ... unfortuneatly i lost the female of the original pair in the move... so i now have 5-6 of their offspring in with the big male and am awaiting a new pair formation of some sort... i also have two in with the salvini as focus targets
Additional photos:
Female with newborn fry speckles
Dempsey pair used as targets in the salvini 90g
Dempsey pair in the salvini 90g - with tiger loach
Same Big male as in opening photo above(BUT with flash to reveal hidden smaller fish)
photos by BABailey
