{"product_id":"cichlasoma-octofasciatus-electric-blue-jack-dempsey-cichlid-3cm","title":"Cichlasoma Octofasciatus Electric Blue Jack Dempsey Cichlid 3cm","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Electric Blue Jack Dempsey is a captive-bred colour form of Rocio octofasciata in which the whole body is covered in shimmering powder blue scales, the blue intensifying with age. It stays a little smaller and is reportedly milder than the wild-type fish. Its ancestors come from Central America, and it suits intermediate keepers with a roomy tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 15–18 cm (6–7 in); smaller than the wild form\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 10–15 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e Captive-bred strain; species from Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow lower rivers, canals, lakes and ponds with sandy bottoms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Omnivorous, prefers invertebrates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Cichlid pellets, bloodworm, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, chopped prawn, blackworm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Feed once daily in small amounts; avoid overfeeding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Similar-sized robust cichlids, large tetras, plecs, silver dollars\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Small fish that fit in its mouth; very aggressive tank busters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Moderately aggressive, milder than the wild form\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Territorial when mature and breeding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Intermediate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Less hardy than wild type, sensitive to poor water; slow early growth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, moderately hard, neutral to alkaline\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 22–28°C (72–82°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 6.5–8.0\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 5–20 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow to moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 250 litres for a pair\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElectric Blues are a fixed but somewhat delicate strain: juveniles are slower growing and less robust than standard Jack Dempseys, so keep water quality high and avoid boisterous tank mates while they are small. Colour develops gradually and can take a year to reach full intensity. Pairs are biparental substrate spawners, though the blue gene breeds unpredictably. Sand, caves and secured rock suit them well. A dazzling centrepiece once mature.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64680687370617,"sku":"STF-CICHLA-JACK-DEMP-EBJD","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-CICHLA-JACK-DEMP-EBJD.png?v=1790097292","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquatics.myshopify.com\/products\/cichlasoma-octofasciatus-electric-blue-jack-dempsey-cichlid-3cm","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}