CheckMyFishTankJack Dempsey care
Rocio octofasciata · Freshwater · Intermediate level care
A tough, colorful cichlid with a lot of attitude.
Feeding
Twice a day. A modest portion of pellets they finish in about 3 minutes. Cichlid pellets, frozen foods, earthworms.
Eats fish small enough to fit in its mouth.
Eats shrimp and snails.
Claims a territory and guards it.
Good tank mates
Fish that pass every check with Jack Dempsey in a 150 gallon tank: same water, overlapping temperature, nobody gets eaten and no bullies.
Do not mix with
- Neon Tetra: Jack Dempsey grows big enough to eat Neon Tetra.
- Cardinal Tetra: Jack Dempsey grows big enough to eat Cardinal Tetra.
- Green Neon Tetra: Jack Dempsey grows big enough to eat Green Neon Tetra.
- Black Neon Tetra: Jack Dempsey grows big enough to eat Black Neon Tetra.
- Ember Tetra: Jack Dempsey grows big enough to eat Ember Tetra.
- Lemon Tetra: Jack Dempsey grows big enough to eat Lemon Tetra.
- Glowlight Tetra: Jack Dempsey grows big enough to eat Glowlight Tetra.
- Black Skirt Tetra: Jack Dempsey grows big enough to eat Black Skirt Tetra.
Questions
What size tank does a Jack Dempsey need?
At least 75 gallons. Adults grow to about 8 inches, so plan for the adult size, not the size at the store.
What temperature does a Jack Dempsey like?
72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, with a pH of about 6.5 to 8. A steady temperature matters more than hitting one exact number.
How many Jack Dempsey should I keep together?
Keep only one. Jack Dempsey fight their own kind.
What do Jack Dempsey eat?
Cichlid pellets, frozen foods, earthworms. Feed twice a day: a modest portion of pellets they finish in about 3 minutes.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 2026-11-10. When sources disagree we use the safer number.