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Rocio octofasciata (Regan 1903)
Etymology: Rocio: Named after the author's
Schmitter-Soto's wife - octofasciatus -
means eight barred; octo=eight and fas-
cia=bar or stripe
Common name: Jack Dempsey cichlid
Size: Males can attain sizes of 10 inches 25
cm, Females are smaller around 7 inches
17cm. Wild specimens will rarely attain sizes
of their aquarium counterparts.
Distribution: Rocio octofasciata has quite a
widespread range from, the Atlantic slopes
of SE Mexico to the Rio Ulua in Hondurus.
Exotic populations are found in Florida wa-
terways, where it has been reported since
1974 and recently introduced exotic popula-
tions reported to be found in Australia.
They are found in a range of habitats like
lowland slow flowing rivers, pools and la-
goons as well as stagnant ditches. Rocio oc-
tofasciata are also commonly observed in
the clear cenotes of the northern Yucatan
Peninsula.
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