Jack Dempsey
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| Common name |
Jack Dempsey |
| Scientific name | Nandopsis octofasciatum |
| Synonyms | Cichlasoma octofasciatum (old genus name), also previously known as C. biocellatum |
| Size | Up to 8" (20cm). |
| Origin | Southern Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras |
| Tank setup | A large tank with rocks and wood, plants are likely to be uprooted, although floating plants could be used. |
| Compatibility | One of the more aggressive medium-sized cichlids, it is best kept alone or mixed with other
robust cichlids, medium-sized catfish, etc. |
| Temperature | 21-25oC (70-77oF) |
| Water chemistry | pH around neutral (6.5-7.5), medium hard |
| Feeding | An omnivore which will accept most foods, green foods can be offered occasionally. |
| Sexing | The dorsal and anal fins of the male are more pointed. |
| Breeding | Pairs form easily and become very aggressive when breeding. A large number of eggs are laid on a rock,
after which the fry are herded into pits. |
| Comments |
This can be a very aggressive fish, as the fact that it is named after a heavyweight boxer might suggest! However, it was originally kept
back in a time when few similar cichlids were found in the hobby, so its reputation has probably been somewhat exaggerated.
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