Electric Blue Jack Dempsey Cichlid – Freshwater Fish

The Electric Blue Jack Dempsey is a spectacular Central American cichlid featuring brilliant metallic-blue coloration, contrasting dark markings, and an unmistakable shimmering appearance. It provides the intense color normally associated with marine fish while living entirely in freshwater.

This selectively bred color form of the traditional Jack Dempsey makes an impressive centerpiece for an appropriately sized freshwater aquarium. Electric Blue Jack Dempseys can be more sensitive than standard Jack Dempseys and are best maintained by aquarists who can provide stable water conditions, quality nutrition, and carefully selected tank mates.

One small-to-medium Electric Blue Jack Dempsey Cichlid is included.

Fish Care

Scientific Name: Rocio octofasciata
Common Name: Electric Blue Jack Dempsey
Origin: Central American Lineage
Care Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Approximate Adult Size: 8–10 Inches
Minimum Aquarium Size: 55 Gallons
Recommended Aquarium Size: 75 Gallons or Larger
Water Temperature: 76–82°F
pH: 6.5–8.0
Water Hardness: Soft to Moderately Hard
Diet: Omnivore
Aquarium Level: Middle to Bottom
Freshwater Only: Yes

Aquarium Requirements

Provide a fully cycled aquarium with stable parameters, strong biological filtration, and sufficient swimming space. Electric Blue Jack Dempseys appreciate caves, driftwood, rocks, and other structures that create secure territories.

Arrange decorations carefully and leave open swimming areas. All rocks and structures should be stable because larger cichlids may dig or rearrange the substrate.

Electric Blue Jack Dempseys may be more delicate than standard Jack Dempseys. Consistent temperature, regular water changes, low nitrate levels, and excellent water quality are essential.

Feeding

Offer a varied diet of quality cichlid pellets, frozen or freeze-dried krill, mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, insects, and other appropriately sized foods.

Avoid relying exclusively on feeder fish. A varied prepared and frozen diet provides more balanced nutrition while reducing the risk of introducing parasites or disease.

Feed only what the fish can consume within a few minutes and remove uneaten food to maintain water quality.

Temperament and Tank Mates

Electric Blue Jack Dempseys are semi-aggressive and may become increasingly territorial as they mature. Provide adequate aquarium space and secure territories to reduce conflict.

Potential tank mates include similarly sized, robust fish with compatible water requirements. Avoid very small fish that may be eaten, delicate species that may be bullied, and extremely aggressive cichlids that could injure the Electric Blue Jack Dempsey.

Compatibility is never guaranteed. Individual behavior should be monitored carefully, particularly as the fish matures or begins forming a pair.

Acclimation

Keep the aquarium lights dim or turned off during acclimation. Gradually acclimate the fish to the aquarium’s temperature and water conditions, and never add shipping water to the main aquarium.

Provide a quiet environment after introduction and allow the fish time to settle before offering food. Temporary hiding or reduced coloration may occur while it adjusts.

Fish Quarantine

This fish will ship within a 14-day quarantine window, depending on its current stage of quarantine.

Please allow additional processing time before shipment. Tracking information will be provided once the fish has completed preparation and has been transferred to the carrier.

Live-Fish Shipping

Live fish ship by FedEx Priority Overnight for a flat $39.99 livestock shipping charge. Orders containing $300 or more in qualifying live animals receive free live-animal shipping.

Live-animal orders ship Monday through Wednesday to reduce the risk of weekend carrier delays.

Live Arrival and DOA Guarantee

Your fish is protected by our Live Arrival Guarantee. Please inspect all livestock immediately upon delivery.

Any dead-on-arrival claim must be submitted within 12 hours of the carrier-recorded delivery time. Clear photographs showing the affected animal outside of the shipping water must be included with the claim. Please do not discard the animal or its packaging until the claim has been reviewed.

Claims submitted after the 12-hour reporting window or without the required photographs may not qualify for coverage. Please review our complete Live Arrival Guarantee before ordering.

Why Shop With Infinity & Beyond Aquatics?

• Carefully coordinated livestock orders

• Protective insulated packaging appropriate for current weather conditions

• Priority Overnight live-animal shipping

• Live Arrival and DOA protection

• Support with acclimation, compatibility, feeding, and ongoing care

• Personal service from experienced aquarium keepers

Important Livestock Notice

The product photograph is representative of the fish you will receive. Natural size, coloration, pattern, and appearance may vary between individual fish.

Adult size, temperament, and long-term aquarium requirements should be considered before ordering. This is a freshwater fish and must never be placed in a saltwater aquarium.