Can Jack Dempsey Cichlid Live With Honey Gourami?
Jack Dempsey Cichlid is aggressive and will likely attack or stress tank mates.
Parameter Comparison
| Parameter | Jack Dempsey Cichlid | Honey Gourami | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–86°F | 74–82°F | 74–82°F ✓ |
| pH Range | 6.5–8 | 6–7.5 | 6.5–7.5 ✓ |
| Temperament | aggressive | peaceful | Aggression risk ✗ |
| Max Size | 10" | 2" | Size mismatch ✗ |
| Min Tank Size | 55 gal | 10 gal | 55 gal minimum together |
| Diet | Carnivore | Omnivore | — |
| Care Level | intermediate | beginner | — |
Species Profiles
Jack Dempsey Cichlid
Rocio octofasciata
Named after the legendary boxer, Jack Dempsey cichlids are large, territorial Central American cichlids with iridescent blue-green spangles across their dark body. They are aggressive, intelligent, and interactive — many owners report them coming to the glass to greet them. The electric blue Jack Dempsey variant is significantly less aggressive and more colorful.
Full care guide →Honey Gourami
Trichogaster chuna
Honey gouramis are the gentlest gourami species — even more peaceful than their larger dwarf gourami relatives. Males display a warm honey-gold coloration that deepens to rich amber when breeding. At only 2 inches, they are perfect for nano community tanks. They are also significantly hardier than dwarf gouramis, which suffer from the iridovirus (DGIV).
Full care guide →