Scientific Name(s): Archocentrus Octofasciatus

Common Name(s): Jack Dempsey

Family: Cichlidae

Species Type: Central American Cichlids

Maximum Size: 10 inches

Life Span: 15 years

Natural Habitat: Central America - Yucatan peninsula, Guatemala, Honduras

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons

Tank Region: All over

Possible Tank Mates: Very intolerant of other species but some have had success with firemouth meeki, convicts, green terrors, pictus catfish and plecos

Breeding Information: Jack Dempseys breed as most other Central American Cichlids. They will find a flat place to clean and lay eggs and will protect them until the fry are released. The eggs incubate for about 4 days and then become wrigglers. They will begin to be free swimming several days after the wriggler stage. Feed the fry crushed flake food and newly hatched brine shrimp.

Sexing Information: Sexing Jack Dempsey's is somewhat easy by appearance. Males are large and have more pointed anal fins. They have little or no blue on the gill plates while females have a good deal of blue pattern. The body of a female will have less color than a male.

Diet: Omnivorous - does well with pellet or flake food and live worms, krill or brine shrimp.

Temperment: Very aggressive

Common Diseases: HITH (Hole in the Head)