Blue-Eyed Cichlid Care Guide
Cryptoheros spilurus is a Central American cichlid of the Atlantic slope from Belize to Nicaragua, related to the convict cichlid but smaller and less aggressive.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Cryptoheros spilurus is a Central American cichlid of the family Cichlidae, described by Günther in 1862. According to FishBase it occurs on the Atlantic slope from Belize to Nicaragua. It is a relative of the convict cichlid; the body shows dark vertical barring, and the common name refers to its iridescent eye. Males grow noticeably larger than females.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Cryptoheros
- Scientific name: Cryptoheros spilurus
- Author: Günther, 1862
- Order: Cichliformes
Habitat
FishBase reports that adults inhabit lakes and rivers, preferring shallows and bank areas over sand, mud and rock bottoms, and favouring the slower-moving waters of the lower river valleys. It is a tropical freshwater fish; Wikipedia notes its occurrence in Nicaragua including Lake Nicaragua.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F); FishBase reports a wider 22-32 °C range
- pH: 7.0-8.0
- GH: 8-18 °dGH
- Size: 8-12 cm (FishBase max 12.0 cm TL for males)
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
Diet
The species is an omnivore. FishBase assigns it a low trophic level, consistent with a diet that includes plant material and detritus; in aquaria a varied diet of prepared, frozen and live foods is appropriate.
Compatibility
It is a semi-aggressive, diurnal cichlid of the middle water column, smaller and generally less aggressive than the convict cichlid. It is best kept with similarly robust Central American cichlids and armored catfish rather than small tetras, especially during breeding when it becomes territorial.
Breeding
FishBase reports that the species usually lays eggs in sand depressions and produces 300-400 offspring per spawning. The KB record classifies it as a cave spawner of beginner-level difficulty in the aquarium.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Data Deficient (assessed 17 January 2020). FishBase notes the species is used in the aquarium trade and is of no fisheries interest.
Cryptoheros spilurus Breeding Guide
Overview
Cryptoheros spilurus, the blue-eye cichlid, is a Central American convict relative. It is a biparental substrate brooder whose early development has been documented in a peer-reviewed study, providing precise data on egg size, hatching and larval growth. The same study confirmed biparental care, with parents protecting the larvae during the early stages.
Breeding Setup
- Provide rocky surfaces or a cave-like spot; eggs are deposited on rocky substrate, and clay pots are readily used.
- Use sand substrate so the pair can dig pits near the spawning site.
- Maintain a temperature around 28 C, as used in the documented rearing study.
- A tank of roughly 150 L suits a pair.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The pair selects a spawning site at a cave and digs small pits near the entrance, with the female cleaning the site while the male patrols. The female makes a series of dry runs and then deposits her eggs, which the male fertilises immediately. Females spawned at regular intervals of 15 to 18 days, producing clutches of 200 to 500 eggs measuring 1.65 plus or minus 0.05 mm in diameter.
Egg & Fry Care
After spawning the female hovers above the eggs and fans them with her pectoral fins. Hatching is asynchronous, occurring at about 52 to 54 hours post-fertilisation, with most embryos emerging by 52 hours and some as late as 54 hours. Hatchlings measure roughly 4.7 mm total length, with large yolk sacs and underdeveloped eyes. By 16 days post-hatch the fish reach about 13.2 mm total length and complete metamorphosis. In the documented study the parents transferred egg-bearing rocks or clay pots to a separate tank, demonstrating how a clutch can be moved for controlled rearing.
Common Challenges
As a convict relative, breeding pairs become territorial; provide structure and avoid housing with timid or much smaller tankmates. Asynchronous hatching means wrigglers emerge over a couple of days, which is normal.