Jack_Dempsey

Origin: Southern Mexico to Honduras.

Temperament: This is an aggressive species best kept in a species tank.

Size: Up to 18cm (7")

Temperature: 72-79°F or 22-26°C

pH Level: 7.0 or there abouts.

Food: Flake food, pellets, chopped meat, worms, crustaceans, insects.

Tank Setup: Needs a large tank with plenty of swimming space and a few rocks. This fish is a notorious "digger" and will rip plants out of the gravel. Keep only floating plants, if at all.

Breeding: Spawing takes place on the ground, and at this time both the male and the female are involved and will be particularly aggresive toward intruders. After the eggs hatch the young are cared for by the parents (mouth brooders) until which time they are free swimming and able to find food on their own intuition.

Sexing: Unclear.

Comments: Certainly not recommended for the beginner, better handled by the dedicated and experienced, due to the fish's demanding nature. Note also this fish has an aversion to "old" water. This means that one quarter of the tank water should be changed every 3-4 weeks, and the tank should be well aerated.