Electric Blue Jack Dempsey 3.5cm

Electric Blue Jack Dempsey

The Electric Blue Jack Dempsey is a stunning captive-bred colour strain of the common criminally under-rated common jack Dempsey cichlid. They are one of the most unique and vibrantly coloured cichlids with a bright and reflective blue, this seems to be a commonly occurring genetic trait in South American cichlids similar to electric blue rams and blue diamond discus. 

Electric Blue Jack Dempsey cichlids have a quite distinguished elongated but stocky body shape whereas other South American cichlids tend to be more oval in shape. The base body colour is actually a mottling of an electric blue and dark brown to almost black. The blue can range from a light sky blue all the way to a deep ocean blue which is then broken up by the dark chocolate colour of brown. For a mild but further level of contrast there are also speckles of white throughout the body, the best thing about all this patterning is that it is from head to tail and only gets better as the fish ages. Due to the inbreeding which occurs in order to achieve these vibrant colours, electric blue jack Dempseys can be slightly sensitive to poor water conditions and are not as hardy as their common counterparts. They are fish that should be reserved too experienced aquarists. 

Electric Blue Jack Dempsey however should breed very easily in aquariums usually digging a pit or laying eggs on a smooth, flat surface. Male jack dempsey cichlids are larger in size in comparison to females. Females however will still carry the vibrant colours so there are no direct dimorphic traits. 

Tank Recommendations for your Electric Blue Jack Dempsey Cichlid

The Electric Blue Jack Dempsey cichlid tends to have mixed reviews regarding its aggression level. In some instances, they have been said to be a peaceful species whereas in others they are a territorial fish. Either way, due to their larger growing size, they need a tank that is at least 470 litres and around the 4-foot minimum length. This ensures that there is enough space for the jack dempsey along with any other tank mates. Keeping these fish on a sandy substrate will be great as Jack Dempsey’s will sift through the substrate in search of food. Having rock caves and driftwood in the aquarium also helps with any territorial aggression. 

Suitable Tank Buddies

The Electric Blue Jack Dempsey cichlid should be housed with the idea that they are an aggressive cichlid. Whilst they may be peaceful, it is better to house them with similar-sized and tempered tank mates. With enough hiding places, these fish will be fine with a range of other fish. 

Usually Compatible

Large growing aquarium species such as oscars, jaguar cichlids, and fire mouths. These species are equally aggressive and large enough to where they can hold their own against any possible fights with an electric blue jack dempsey cichlid.

Sometimes Compatible

Severum, Uaru, pictus catfish, and other large but peaceful cichlids.  

Rarely Compatible

Shrimp and nano aquarium fish like neon tetras, ember tetras, corydoras, and similar species. 

Feeding your Electric Blue Jack Dempsey Cichlid

Electric blue jack dempsey cichlids are by far one of the easiest fish to feed. They will readily eat a wide range of foods both dry, fresh, and frozen. Their diet should contain good quality slow-sinking pellets with high protein content. This should be supplemented with frozen foods such as bloodworms. By feeding these fish a natural colour-enhancing food, it will really enhance the blues they have even further.