Jack Dempsey
ExploreFish
Jack Dempsey
Rocio octofasciata
The Jack Dempsey fish is named after a famous boxer because of its tough look! They are bold and can be very protective of their space.
Appearance
The Jack Dempsey is a stocky, oval-bodied fish with a striking dark gray to brownish base color, covered in iridescent blue-green speckles. It features several distinct black blotches along its flanks, making it visually distinct. Its fins are often edged with a reddish hue.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopteriOrderCichliformesFamilyCichlidaeGenusRocio
Category
FishRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Jack Dempseys are champion parents, digging nests and guarding their babies fiercely.
Named after a tough boxer, these fish are known for their feisty attitudes!
Sometimes, these fish make grunting sounds to communicate with each other underwater!
They sparkle! Their bodies are covered in iridescent spots that shimmer blue and green.
Special abilities
Ability
Mood Changer
Jack Dempsey can change its skin color rapidly to blend into its environment or show how it's feeling.
Ability
Powerful Digger
Jack Dempsey uses its strong mouth to dig pits in the substrate for building nests and hiding spots.
Ability
Protective Parent
Jack Dempsey fiercely guards its eggs and young fish, chasing away anything that comes too close.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 15-25 cm
- Weight
- 0.1-0.3 kg
- Lifespan
- 8-10 years
- Swim Speed
- 7 km/h
- Maximum Depth
- 10 m
- Water Type
- Freshwater
Diet & Feeding
A fierce hunter, the Jack Dempsey eats small fish, aquatic insects, and worms.
Age differences: Younger fish primarily consume invertebrates, while adults broaden their diet to include more small fish.
Primary Foods
- small fish
- aquatic insects
- worms
- crustaceans
- snails
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
eaten by
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
Larger birds prey on fish in shallow waters.
hunts
Shortfin molly
Poecilia mexicana
Feeds on small fish in its habitat.
hunts
Bloodworm
Chironomus plumosus
Eats insect larvae from the substrate.
eaten by
Longnose gar
Lepisosteus osseus
Larger predatory fish will hunt young Jack Dempseys.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Piscivorous
Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
Freshwater
Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Also known as
Blue Jack DempseyDempsey Cichlid
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Jack Dempsey?
15-25 cm
How much does Jack Dempsey weigh?
0.1-0.3 kg
How long does Jack Dempsey live?
8-10 years
What does Jack Dempsey eat?
A fierce hunter, the Jack Dempsey eats small fish, aquatic insects, and worms.
How fast can Jack Dempsey swim?
7 km/h
How does Jack Dempsey hunt?
Ambush
How deep can Jack Dempsey go?
10 m
What kind of water does Jack Dempsey live in?
Freshwater
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
