Jack Dempseys Cichlids are Central American Cichlids from the Guatemala area.  They are known by the scientific name Cichlasoma octofasciatum or more recently by the name Nandopsis octofasciatus .  The fish have a tan background color with dark bands and iridescent blue spots.  There is a thin red line along the edge of the dorsal fin.  They can change their color from dark to light depending on their mood.   Jack Dempseys will eat just about anything including flake foods, blood worms, brine shrimp, cichlid pellets, vegetable matter, crickets, frogs and crayfish.

The Blues Jack Dempseys are also known as Electric Blue Jack Dempseys.  There is not a significant amount of information about this new variant.  It is a bit smaller than the Jack Dempsey.  The blue coloring develops with age.

Jack Dempseys should be kept in a tank of at least 50 gallons.  The substrate should be fine gravel, as they like to dig in it.  The tank should be well planted, but plastic plants are best, as they will uproot and destroy live plants.  There should be rocks, caves and hiding areas.  Clay pots work very well.  Frequent water changes are important, as this is a messy fish.  They're aren't many good tank mates for them due to their aggressive nature.

Jack Dempseys are extremely aggressive and territorial, especially during breeding.  A male will show iridescent blue over a black background and bright edges on the fins.  After determining a mate, the male will dig a hole and clean a surface for eggs.  Aggression toward the female can include lip locking and wrestling.  Hundreds of eggs are fertilized against a clean vertical surface.  Both parents will aggressively defend the young until the fry reach an age where the parents can't control them.  At that point, the young may become appetizers.

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