Jack Dempsey (Rocio octofasciata)

Scientific name: Rocio octofasciata Regan, 1903

Jack Dempsey (Rocio octofasciata)

The Jack Dempsey (Rocio octofasciata) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows to about 5.6 cm (2.2 in). It is easy to keep, needs carefully chosen tank mates and needs water at 25–28°C (77–82°F) and a pH of 7.0–8.0. Native range: North and Central America, Atlantic slope from southern Mexico (Papaloap?n River) to Honduras (Ulua River).

Jack Dempsey care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Community tank
With caution
Adult size
5.6 cm (2.2 in)
Temperature
25–28°C (77–82°F)
pH
7.0–8.0
Hardness
9–20 dGH (161–357 ppm)
Diet
Omnivore. Accepts flakes, pellets and live foods.

Biology

Occurs in swampy areas with warm, murky water. Found in weedy, mud-bottomed and sand-bottomed canals and drainage ditches. Prefers coastal plains and slow moving waters of the lower river valleys. Feeds on worms, crustaceans, insects and fish

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Rocio octofasciata
Family
Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
25.0
Common length
7.5
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 7.0 - 8.0; dH range: 9 - 20 benthopelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
North and Central America: Atlantic slope from southern Mexico (Papaloap?n River) to Honduras (Ulua River).
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: highly commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Assuming tm

More south & central american cichlids

See all south & central american cichlids

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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