Difference Between a Female & Male Jack Dempsey

Jack Dempsey cichlids are known for their colorful appearance and are freshwater fish. They can get quite large and are not community fish as they can be quite aggressive. Cichlids do well with other fish that are equal in size and aggression. The minimum tank size recommended for cichlids is 30 gallons per fish.

  1. General Appearance

    • The Jack Dempsey, scientifically known as the Nandopis octofasciatus, takes a year to reach its full color maturation. Its body is covered in a variety of hues of blue, green and golden spots. The female, similar in appearance, generally has fewer spots than the male. Based on mood or environmental conditions, the Jack Dempsey cichlid's color can appear to have a faded look depending on its temperament.

    Features by Gender

    • Male Jack Dempseys grow long, pointed dorsal and anal fins that have a red color lining the edges. They may have a round black spot in the center of their body and toward their tail. Males are also larger than females and will develop a hump on the cranium after they are a few years old. Females generally exhibit smaller fins than the male and lack the black spots characteristic to the male. Gender determination of a young Jack Dempsey may be more difficult as its characteristic markings have not yet developed.

    Additional Identifiers

    • There are more ways to identify a Jack Dempsey but using these identifiers can be more difficult and might be easier for more experienced fish keepers. Examining the gill plates, the male will have round blue spotted areas that do not extend past the eye. Females will have a more blotchy, less round pattern on their gill plates. Another identifier is actually determining the gender by observing the sex parts themselves. You can find these under the tail. Females will have two circular openings, while males will have one circle with a single or double slit.

    Size

    • The Jack Dempsey's size varies by sex. Male fish get larger than females and can reach between 8 and 14 inches depending on tank size. Females usually get between 4 and 7 inches long. Both male and female grow fairly quickly when young and will reach half of their size within six months. From then on, it will take another two to three years to reach their full size.

    Lifespan

    • Both genders of Jack Dempsey can live from 8 to 10 years, although some have been reported to live as long as 25 years. Keeping your water clean and maintained to prevent disease and providing a proper sized tank can help keep your fish alive and healthy. You will know when your fish are stressed when they become pale in color.