A pink Jack Dempsey is a pale pink to white fish with a soft blue sheen on the fins and a dark, gold-ringed eye. The name is a shop label rather than a breeder's. LiveAquaria describes its pink as running from pink to platinum, and other shops use the name for gold-type fish. Buy from a photo of the actual fish. Care is the species' care, with the same tank, water and food.
In the wild
The pink Jack Dempsey was produced by selective breeding and does not occur in the wild. No breeder or year is on record. Wholesalers list the fish as Jack Dempsey pink, so it reaches shops through the regular supply chain rather than from one breeder. Hobby breeders use pink loosely, for a gold fish or for the pale gold-and-blue fish also sold as electric pink or platinum.
Good to know
Pink is not a gene of its own. The pale body comes from the gold trait, which strips most of the dark melanin and leaves a gold or pink base. A fish that carries the electric blue trait as well shows more blue on the head and fins. Breeders call that one electric pink or platinum. Both traits are recessive, so a pink fish crossed to a standard Jack Dempsey gives normal-looking carriers. The eye keeps its dark pupil, so the fish is not an albino.
Did you know
Photographs of pink Jack Dempseys have a history of being touched up. Keepers on the cichlid forums warn that most fish sold as pink are electric pinks with a slight pink hue. A strongly pink adult in a listing photo deserves a second look.
Common questions
Is a Pink Jack Dempsey a different species from the Jack Dempsey?
No. A Pink Jack Dempsey is a variety of the Jack Dempsey, Rocio octofasciata, and it wants the same tank, water and food as the species.
Is a pink Jack Dempsey the same fish as an electric pink?
Often, yes. Breeders use electric pink and platinum for the fish that carries both the gold and the blue traits, and LiveAquaria describes its pink as running from pink to platinum. Some shops use pink for a plain gold fish instead, so ask for a photo of the actual animal.
Does a pink Jack Dempsey need different care?
No. It wants the 55 gallon (208 liter) tank, 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) water and meaty diet of the standard fish, and it digs and defends a spawn the same way. The one shop that calls it milder uses the same sentence on its electric blue page, and no breeder reports a difference.
What size tank does a Pink Jack Dempsey need?
A Pink Jack Dempsey needs at least 55 gal (208 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
How big does a Pink Jack Dempsey get?
An adult Pink Jack Dempsey reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).
9.8 in (25 cm)159 gal (600 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
9.8 in (25 cm)75 gal (285 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
9.8 in (25 cm)74 gal (280 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
9.8 in (25 cm)79 gal (300 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
10.2 in (26 cm)119 gal (450 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)