Electric Blue Jack Dempsey fish tank mates

The Electric Blue Jack Dempsey is a tropical freshwater fish of the cichlid variation. Its scientific name is Rocio Octofasciata, previously known as Cichlasoma Octofasciatum is one of the most striking fish to have in any aquarium. It was assumed that it was a hybrid variation of the larger group of the Jack Dempsey species for a long time. But, on further research, it was proven that it is a natural variety, developed independently. This fish is new to the fishkeeping hobby and is pretty in-demand. It has been awarded the accolade of being one of the ‘bluest’ fish in the fishkeeping occupation. The newer Electric Blue Jack Dempsey varieties are tamer than the previous ones, though they still count as being aggressive.

They are known by various names such as the Electric Blue Dempsey, Jack Dempsey Neon Blue, Blue Dempsey, etc. The blue color is so dark that it appears metallic and blends in with the dark shade of the body. The blue color was so unstable in the previous species that the Argentinian fishkeeper Hector Luzardo took ten years to stabilize it by crossing them with different species within the variant. 

Even though Jack Dempsey is an easy fish to care for, it is pretty expensive compared to its other tropical counterparts.

No matter how stunning it might appear, it shares its genetic material with the cichlids – who are pretty aggressive. Like its family, Electric Blue Jack Dempsey will prefer a wide berth to swim around. Unfortunately, they thrive in large tanks and get easily irritated. Due to their uncertain temper, it is difficult to find suitable tank mates. 

Otherwise, the Electric Blue Jack Dempsey is pretty easy to care for. Amateur fishkeepers will find it a delight to rear.

This guide will take you through the Electric Blue Jack Dempsey care and guide you on how to care for them, set up a proper tank for them, the breeding process, and which tank mates are suitable for a Blue Dempsey tank.

  • Electric Blue Jack Dempsey Care – Overview
  • Electric Blue Jack Dempsey – Origin and Stats
  • Electric Blue Jack Dempsey – Appearance
  • Electric Blue Jack Dempsey – Features
  • Electric Blue Jack Dempsey – Aquarium Conditions
  • Electric Blue Dempsey – Food
  • Electric Blue Jack Dempsey – Breeding
  • Top 9 Electric Blue Jack Dempsey Tankmates
    • 1. Firemouth Cichlids
    • 2. Acara Cichlids
    • 3. Convict Cichlids
    • 4. Jewel Cichlids
    • 5. Gourami fish
    • 6. Severum Cichlids
    • 7. Rainbowfish
    • 8. Angelfish
    • 9. Giant Danios
  • How to Choose Tank Mates for Electric Blue Jack Dempsey?
  • Conclusion

Electric Blue Jack Dempsey Care – Overview

The Electric Blue Jack Dempsey Cichlid can survive in a tank with sandy ground that is deep enough for them to burrow and dig into, giving them the most comfort. You must recreate their marshy environment in the tank for them to feel at home and be able to live and reproduce there. 

Electric Blue Jack Dempsey – Origin and Stats

Information Chart Electric Blue Jack Dempsey
Scientific Name: Rocio Octofasciata
Family: Cichlidae
Care Level: Easy to medium
Temperament: Aggressive
Color: Different variations of blue
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years
Size: 8 inches on average
Diet: Mostly carnivorous, flake or pellet, frozen and live food
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Temperature: 72 to 86 degrees F
Water Conditions: pH 6 to 8, hard water, 0 – 10 KH
Tank Mate Compatibility Alone, in pairs or with other Cichlids

Regan described Jack Dempsey (Rocio octofasciata) in 1903. It is not endangered and not listed on the IUCN Red ListTheir native habitat is the Northern and Central regions of America, particularly Honduras, Yucatan, Guatemala, Southern Mexico, etc. In recent years, these fish have also lived in the waters of Australia, Thailand, and some in the USA’s lakes.

They enjoy slow and muddy, swampy water. They are found flitting in and about the dense areas with weeds, mud, or marshes. They like warm water. Electric Blue Jack Dempsey is a bottom dweller and will spend most of their time sifting through the sand to burrow in. They are plant snackers and need plenty of spaces to burrow into.

Electric Blue Jack Dempsey – Appearance

Electric Blue Jack Dempsey fish tank mates

Dempseys are perpetually hungry fish. Their diet is mainly a mix of carnivorous and omnivorous and consists of live and frozen food and plant and animal feed. They will eat all types of fresh food, pellets, meat, and smaller fish. So get some high-quality dry, frozen, and meaty food. You can also put in some vegetables. They prefer bloodworms, shrimps, and small fish more.

Ensure that you keep mixing their diet up to get all nutrients. The feeding frequency for these fish is four times a day. 

Electric Blue Jack Dempsey – Breeding

Even though breeding an Electric Blue Jack Dempsey pair is very hard, if you are willing to give it a shot, then this is how it happens.

Before the mating pair is ready to breed, you will notice the adult male and female signs. In males, their copulative organs become more prominent and more noticeable. You should cycle a separate tank and add the pair into the tank. Keep a constant tank temperature, as mentioned above, of 86 degrees F. Ensure that the tank water is fresh, and replace the water every three days for high breeding chances.

During the spawning process, the female will lay the eggs around the tank’s decor, such as plants, stones, hiding spots, etc. The highest number of eggs that the female might lay during the entire period will be under a thousand or two thousand. You will notice that the fish become pretty aggressive during this time and protect their eggs severely. This is the main reason that you should consider a separate breeding tank.

Fry will hatch from the eggs after 2 or 3 weeks. At birth, they have faded, dull colors. The coloration will improve when the young ones reach the age of two months or so. During this time, the fry is susceptible to infections, diseases, and deadly disorders. To make sure that they stay healthy, raise the temperature by 2 to 3 degrees F. After 3 to 4 weeks have passed, you can reduce the temperature again.

Once the fry has gone older, you can introduce them to the main tank or let them have their tank.

Top 9 Electric Blue Jack Dempsey Tankmates

The Electric Blue Jack Dempsey is a tricky fish to introduce to a community tank. They might not have a quick temper like their parent family, Jack Dempseys, does. But, they can still prove harmful for other fishes in the tank. Only a few selective fish can coexist with the Electric Blue Jack Dempseys. Let us take a look at these fishes and their basic requirements.

1. Firemouth Cichlids

Electric Blue Jack Dempsey fish tank mates

Firemouth cichlids have a self-explanatory name. Their mouth appears to have a band of fire gleaming around it. 

This fish species is native to Central America. They are a little picky about their surroundings, but they will behave well as long as you meet their demands. Their demands entail plenty of space, hiding spots, and timely food. These fish are schooling fish bent on marking and guarding their territories. Firemouth Cichlids get easily stressed and might behave erratically.

Just like the Electric Blue Jack Dempsey fish, they get over-protective of their fry during the mating season and will guard them with their lives. However, they are always digging and exploring around and make for an excellent visual appeal to the tank.

  • Care Level: Easy
  • Tank Size: 30 gallons
  • Temperament: Semi-aggressive
  • Size: between 5 to 6 inches

2. Acara Cichlids

Electric Blue Jack Dempsey fish tank mates

Acara Cichlids are yet another Cichlid variety that will do well with your Jack Dempsey Tank. Native to Central and South America, acaras are broadly divided into two species. True acaras are more extensive and grow long (up to 12 inches), and the other acaras grow up to 6 inches. Even though acaras love peaceful existence, they will stand their ground and show their aggressive side if they are threatened.

Acaras are also fond of eating smaller fish, so avoid housing them with small, timid fish in community tanks.

  • Care Level: Easy
  • Tank Size: 30 gallons
  • Temperament: Semi-aggressive
  • Size: between 5 to 6 inches

3. Convict Cichlids

Electric Blue Jack Dempsey fish tank mates

The Gourami ranks out of the top ten list of most colorful freshwater fish. Initially found in Asia, India, Korea, and Pakistan, many color variations are available. The Banded Gourami, the Blue Gourami, and the Red Fire Dwarf Gourami are more colorful species.

It is not uncommon to find great color palettes like gold, neon, blue, and even sunset. In addition, the Gourami is known to be quite active, playfully entertaining, and relatively easy to care for. They are also renowned for low maintenance, giving you one less thing to worry about.

  • Care Level: Easy to medium
  • Tank Size: 20 gallons
  • Temperament: Peaceful 
  • Size: between 2- 28 inches

6. Severum Cichlids

Electric Blue Jack Dempsey fish tank mates

Severums are a species of the Cichlidae family. Their other names include banded cichlid, gold severum cichlid, etc. 

Severum Cichlid hails from South America. They make for the perfect, neutral tankmates. They are neither timid nor aggressive but mind their own business. If they are kept in a tank with similarly-sized fish, they can coexist well. The Electric Blue Jack Dempseys are similar to the Severum cichlid in size and temperament. Just like the other Cichlids, these might try to eat the smaller fish in the tank, so be careful of that.

  • Care Level: Easy to medium
  • Tank Size: 45 gallons
  • Temperament: Peaceful, sometimes semi-aggressive
  • Size: between 8 inches

7. Rainbowfish

Electric Blue Jack Dempsey fish tank mates

Pterophyllum Scalare, or freshwater angelfish, is a cichlid species native to South America. You can find these in places such as Colombia, Guyana, French Guiana, Peru, and Brazil, including the Rio Oyapock, Rio Essequibo, and Amazon.

Like most cichlids, they have a laterally compressed body structure, which essentially means they are pretty thin. Solid silver, multicolor stripes, and black-and-silver marble are among the hues and patterns available for these fish. They have various sub-species such as the Zebra Angelfish, Veil Angelfish, Albino Angelfish, Ghost Angelfish, etc.

  • Care Level: Moderately easy
  • Tank size: 29 gallons
  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Size: 6 inches

9. Giant Danios

Electric Blue Jack Dempsey fish tank mates

Giant Danios, also known as Golden Giant Danio, are easy to care for and great tank mates for larger fish species like the Dempsey. They are very active as a fish species and constantly swim around. Giant Danios are a mid and top dwelling fish originating from India, Nepal, Thailand, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.

Giant Danios have a semi-aggressive temperament because they often get riled up and harass smaller fish. However, they do not do well with equally aggressive tank mates, so keeping them with other semi-aggressive fish is their best chance at coexisting.

  • Care Level: Moderately easy
  • Tank size: 30 gallons
  • Temperament: Semi-aggressive
  • Size: 4 to 6 inches

How to Choose Tank Mates for Electric Blue Jack Dempsey?

Electric Blue Jack Dempsey is not an option for a community fish because of its temper. These fish are territorial and aggressive – more so when a pair is mated – and hence you cannot keep them with other fish. Compared to their parents, the Jack Dempsey, the Electric Blue Jack Dempsey is calmer. It is more tolerable of its tankmates. 

During the time they are breeding, they become overly possessive. So we advise you to keep a mating pair in a tank either just or keep them in large groups in a larger tank but paired – so that there are no fights between males.

Try to stick to the fish we have outlined for your reference above, as they have been proven to coexist with the Electric Blue Jack Dempsey peacefully.

Conclusion

The Electric Blue Jack Dempsey is a hardy fish with a winning personality. The gorgeous electric blue color and the black spots like marble make it look stunning. You can easily house this species as a centerpiece in your home aquarium because of their appearance and ease of care. If you pick and choose the correct tank mates, it will thrive and merge itself into a community well. Just make sure to give it enough space to keep its temper in check! We hope that this guide can guide you through the dos and don’ts of keeping an Electric Blue Jack Dempsey pair.

What can go with an electric blue Jack Dempsey?

Electric Blue Jack Dempsey Tank Mates In an aquarium smaller than 55 gallons don't keep them with other cichlids since they will fight. You should add dither fish large enough not to be eaten, however. Silver Dollars, Blue Gouramis, Giant Danios, and Tinfoil Barbs are all good choices.

What kind of fish can go with a Jack Dempsey?

Jack Dempsey Fish Tank Mates: Good And Bad.
Firemouth Cichlids..
Blue Acara..
Angelfish..
Plecos..
Clown loaches..
Silver Dollars..
Convict Cichlids..

Can a Jack Dempsey live with other fish?

Temperament: Jack Dempseys aren't shy, retiring fish, and they'll pick a fight with a fish species that's too aggressive. As an ideal tank mate, you'll want a fish that's not too aggressive, but also a species that isn't shy or a pushover.