What pH does a Jack Dempsey need?

Jack Dempsey Fish Facts & Overview

Scientific name: Rocio octofasciata
Minimum tank size: 80 gallons
Temperature: 72–86°F (22–30°C)
pH: 6.0–7.0
Hardness: 9–20 dGH

How many gallons does a Jack Dempsey need?

80 gallon
Juveniles can be kept in a 55 gallon tank until they reach full maturity. An adult Jack Dempsey needs at least an 80 gallon aquarium. For each additional Jack Dempsey in the tank you should add 20 gallons.

What temperature should a Jack Dempsey tank be?

72-86° F
The recommended temperature range for a Jack Dempsey cichlid is 72-86° F (22-30° C), but many aquarists make sure that the temperature never goes above 78° F (25.5 degrees C) since warm water can increase the aggressiveness in some Jack Dempsey cichlids.

Why do Jack Dempseys turn black?

Not unlike human beings, fish experience both highs and lows in their spirits. If a Jack Dempsey cichlid’s coloration abruptly and seemingly out of nowhere turns paler, it could be a sign of a fish who is unhappy or irked about something.

Can Jack Dempseys live in brackish water?

While some appear to be unaffected by low salt concentrations (convict, redhead), others prefer brackish water to freshwater (Mayan, Jack Dempsey).

How many Jack Dempseys can I put in a 55 gallon tank?

They’re big and fierce, with bright colors and great personalities. But, they’re not for everyone. It’s important that they have enough space since they are a fairly humongous fish. I really wouldn’t recommend putting a single Dempsey in anything under a 55 gallon, and that’s if it’s the only fish in the tank.

Can a Jack Dempsey live in a 40 gallon tank?

It depends on the dimmensions of the tank. You will need at the very minimum of a 4ft tank for the fish that is atleast 12″ wide. Standard 55G tanks are a good size, however you could also work with a 40G long which is just a shorter 55G.

Can a Jack Dempsey live in hard water?

The increased mineral levels are great for African cichlids that love hard water, but that’s not really the best for soft water cichlids like Jack Dempseys. It’s better to use an inert sand for Central and South American cichlids.

How often do you feed Jack Dempsey fish?

Like other cichlids, feed your Jack Dempseys two to three times a day, but only as much as they’ll devour in a minute or two. Watch your fish carefully as the more aggressive ones will eat quicker and may leave little to nothing for less aggressive fish.

Can cichlids be salt water?

Cichlids have long been known to be euryhaline, or tolerant of a wide range in salinity. Some cichlid aquarists believe that their fish do better with salt, and regularly add it with each water change. In fact, salt is known to prevent infection in wounded cichlids (Aronson 1951).