Care Information for an Electric Blue Jack Dempsey

The Electric Blue Jack Dempsey is a natural, though uncommon, variant of the Jack Dempsey. This beautiful fish's color lives up to its name. An Electric Blue Jack Dempsey is generally smaller and less aggressive than other Jack Dempseys. They are beautiful fish to observe and fairly easy to care for, but they do require some time and a specific habitat.

  1. Habitat

    • It is recommended that you use a minimum 40-gallon aquarium for your Electric Blue Jack Dempsey. If you are creating a community tank with semi-aggressive fish of a comparable size, a larger aquarium is suggested. The tank needs to have sufficient water movement and a quality filtration system, and it should be lined with fine sand. You should provide several hiding places, such as rocks and wood, placed along the inside perimeter of the tank. Leave an open area in the center so that your fish have adequate room to swim. Hardy plants such as saggitaria are suggested.

    Temperature

    • The Electric Blue Jack Dempsey can handle a wide range of temperatures, but it has been shown that warmer temperatures can lead to more aggression. A maximum temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended, and the pH level should be between 6.5 and 7.

    Diet

    • The Electric Blue Jack Dempsey is an omnivore. It will eat live food, as well as flakes and pellets. Variety is recommended to keep your fish healthy. High-quality pellet food and large chunks of meat or fish are ideal. Your Electric Blue Jack Dempsey will eat smaller fish if they can swallow them. Keep this in mind if you are preparing a community tank.

    Miscellaneous Care

    • The Electric Blue Jack Dempsey has been shown to have a more tolerable attitude towards tank mates than other Jack Dempseys. However, they can become more territorial as they get older and might require a separate species-specific tank. Electric Blue Jack Dempseys do well solo or in groups, but not in pairs. To prevent the common head and lateral line disease, otherwise known as "Hole-in-the-Head" disease, you should change 20 to 25 percent of the tank water each week.