Blue-eye cichlid - Cryptoheros spilurus

Scientific name: Cryptoheros spilurus

Common name: Blue-eye cichlid

Family: Cichlidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 10 - 12 cm (3.94 - 4.72 inch)

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Recommended pH range: 6.7 - 7.6

Recommended water hardness: 7 - 21°N (125 - 375ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature range: 21 - 25 °C (69.8 - 77°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: Central America

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: aggressive to smaller

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

General Information

The Blue-eye cichlid (Archocentrus = Cryptoheros spilurus) is a medium Central American heroine native to the Atlantic-slope drainages from Belize/Guatemala south to Nicaragua, with classic records from Guatemala’s Lake Izabal–Río Dulce–Río Polochic system (type locality). In nature it inhabits shallows of lakes and slower lower valleys of rivers over sand, mud, and rock. Typical adult size is ~10–12 cm TL. Expect deliberate foraging and elevated territoriality when breeding.

Food & Feeding

An opportunistic omnivore. Use quality sinking cichlid pellets/granules as the staple and rotate frozen/live foods (mysis, brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms) plus some vegetable matter (spirulina flakes, blanched greens). Offer modest portions 1–2× daily; avoid fatty mammal/avian meats. Natural habitat notes of foraging in littoral zones support a mixed diet.

Sexing

Males usually grow a bit larger with slightly more extended dorsal/anal fins and stronger pattern; females are fuller-bodied when gravid. Vent check is the most reliable method for pairs.

Breeding

Substrate-spawning biparental cichlid. Pairs clean a flat surface, shallow cave, or even a sand depression, then guard eggs and larvae intensely. Clutches of a few hundred eggs are documented (≈300–400). For best yields use a separate breeding tank with flat stones/caves, fine sand, and strong aeration/filtration. At 25–26 °C eggs hatch in ~2–3 days; fry are free-swimming ~4–6 days later—start on newly hatched brine shrimp and finely powdered foods.

Lifespan

Realistic aquarium lifespan is ~6–10 years with clean, oxygen-rich water and a varied diet. Generic claims of 15 years are possible but uncommon for this size class.

Tank Requirements & Water Parameters

• Footprint: prioritize floor space and broken sight-lines; a sturdy 90–120 cm (36–48″) tank suits a pair/solo adult.
• Water: pH ~6.7–7.6, hardness ~7–21 °dH; temperature 21–25 °C with good oxygenation.
• Décor: sand or fine gravel with rock piles/wood forming caves and edges (they prefer littoral structure); moderate flow; robust filtration and low nitrate.
• Maintenance: regular water changes and stable chemistry; these fish tolerate a range but do poorly with chronic organics.

Compatibility & Tank Mates

Measured but territorial. Outside breeding they are moderate, but pairs will vigorously defend a site. Keep singly or as a bonded pair; combine only with similarly robust Central American cichlids, larger characins, or sturdy catfish in sufficiently large tanks. Avoid bite-size fish and delicate nano species.

Behaviour & Usual Place in the Tank

Lower to middle levels: a bentho-pelagic littoral fish that patrols banks and substrate edges; provide open lanes plus secure retreats.

Short Description

Blue-eye cichlid (Archocentrus/Cryptoheros spilurus) is a compact Central American substrate-spawner from shallow lake and lower-valley river habitats. Keep hardscape with caves, moderate flow, and clean, well-oxygenated water; expect assertive parental care and sensible territorial behavior, especially in pairs.

Q&A

• Archocentrus or Cryptoheros? Modern databases list it as Cryptoheros spilurus; Archocentrus survives in hobby usage (synonymy).
• Native where exactly? Atlantic-slope drainages of Central America—Belize to Nicaragua—with classic Guatemalan records from Lake Izabal–Río Dulce–Polochic.
• How aggressive? Moderate alone, but highly territorial when breeding; plan tankmates and aquascape accordingly.
• How many eggs? Sources note clutches around 300–400 eggs, guarded by both parents.

Pictures

Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.