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Electric Blue Jack Dempsey

Blue Dempsey ~ Electric Blue Dempsey Family: Cichlidae

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Nandopsis (Cichlasoma) octofasciatum Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough Electric Blue Jack Dempsey Video!

   The Electric Blue Jack Dempsey is one of the bluest tropical fish, and it is definitely one of the most beautiful!

   An adult Electric Blue Jack Dempsey displays a magnificent blue coloration. This dazzling fish is a naturally occurring variant of the Jack Dempsey. It is said that for a long time hatched fry with this bluish coloration were consider runts and were discarded. Fortunately for those who want a spectacular cichlid this variant is being developed in captivity today. Though the Dempsey is relatively easy to breed, it does take a considerable amount of time and the right set-up, so these fish are rather rare and are expensive.

   The Electric Blue JacK Dempsey is a wonderfully attractive show type fish. It will do well when provided with adequate space and compatible tankmates. Unlike its parentage, this variety is slightly smaller and has been found to be a less aggressive cichlid, sometimes almost shy. They will do well in semi-aggressive communities. They like a tank bottom of fine sand, plenty of hiding places among rocks and wood, and a cover of floating plants. They do burrow and will eat the plants.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Dream Aquarium Build your own aquarium The Coolest and Funnest Screensaver in the World.

Distribution:
   The Electric Blue Jack Dempsey is a captive bred, naturally occurring, color-morph of the Jack Dempsey. The Jack Dempsey was described by Regan in 1903. They are found in North and Central America; Southern Mexico, Guatemala, Yucatan, and Honduras. They inhabit bogs and other slow moving, swampy warm waters, living among weedy areas with sandy or muddy bottoms. They feed on worms, crustaceans, insects and fish.

Status:
   This species is not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Description:
   Just like its parentage, the body of the Electric Blue Jack Dempsey is stocky and compact, but exhibits a coloration that has mostly 'blues' rather than 'greens'. This beautiful variant usually has a dark brown background contrasted with brilliant metallic and iridescent blue flecks. Males develop long pointed dorsal and anal fins and may also have a round black spot in the center of the body and at the base of the tail. Juveniles are less brilliant, having a white to light tan background with faint turquoise to blue flecks that get bolder with age.

Size - Weight:
   These fish get up to 8 inches (20 cm).

Care and feeding:
   Since they are omnivorous, the Electric Blue Jack Dempsey will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake or pelleted foods. They get quite large so they should be fed a high quality pelleted food and large chunk foods such as meat or fish.
   A minimum 40 gallon aquarium is suggested, though a larger tank would be suggested if keeping in a semi-aggressive community tank with other like sized fish. They need good water movement along with strong and efficient filtration. Provide a bottom of fine sand and plenty of hiding places among rocks and wood. Plants are appreciated but should be hardy, such as Sagittaria. Place the plants around the inside perimeter leaving an open area in the center for swimming. The plants should be potted to protect the roots.
   The Electric Blue Jack Dempsey is a rewarding specimen for the aquarist as it is moderately easy to keep as long as the aquarium is maintained. They are subject to infections as well as other diseases that ail all freshwater fish. To help prevent the notorious 'Hole-in-the-Head' disease (HLLE - Head and Lateral Line Disease) that large cichlids are prone to, do water changes of 20 to 25% a week, depending on bio load

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   These fish will swim in all areas of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
  Although Dempsey's can tolerate a fairly wide range of conditions, it has been suggested that warmer temperatures lead to more aggression in this fish. Many aquarists will keep the maximum aquarium temperature below 78° F (26° C) to help reduce antagonism.
   Hardness: 8-12° dGH
   Ph: 6.5-7.0
   Temperature: 72 - 86° F (22 - 30° C)

Social Behaviors:
   Though Jack Dempsey's are not considered good community fish as they get territorial, the Electric Blue Jack Dempsey has demonstrated a much more tolerant attitude towards tankmates. They also can get more territorial as they get older and so may need to be kept individually in a species tank. If keeping more than one, it is easier and safer for them to keep them in large groups rather than in pairs.

Sexual Differences:
   The male has a longer and more pointed dorsal fin than the female. The male may also have a round black spot in the center of the body and at the base of the tail. The female has fewer spots than the male.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Jack Dempsey's are egg layers. The female will lay 500-800 eggs on carefully cleaned rocks. They form a nuclear family. The fry are kept in pits and are guarded by both the male and female in the manner of "monogamous cichlid" breeders. See the description of how to breed these fish in Breeding Freshwater Fish.

Availability:
   The Electric Blue Jack Dempsey is only occasionally available either online and in fish stores. They are captive bred, which takes a significant amount of time and resources, so they are rather expensive running between about $25.00 - $60.00 USD.

Author: Clarice Brough, CFS

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Latest Comments
If you are going to attempt to breed the electric blue jd, you might want to read more about the breeding. To get the true electric blue JD, you have to go through an extensive breeding process. Mating two electric blues will not result in electric blue offspring. Rob F 2007-11-21
When I was trying to decide what kind of tank I wanted to establish, I went to my petstore and in a 33 gallon I saw the Blue JD juvy. I had thought about a salt water tank, but couldn't get that fish out of my mind. So I set up my tank and purchased him/her. I absolutely love watching it! I'm hoping to get another one and start breeding them in the next year or two. We're thinking I have a female. I have her in a 55 gallon with 2 angels and an australian rainbowfish. Other than chasing the rainbowfish every now and again, they are all doing fine. I'm so glad that I got the JD. A little pricey, but well worth it! They're awesome fish to have! kelli 2007-11-03

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