American Cichlid – Blue Eye Cichlid (Cryptoheros spilurus / Archocentrus spilurum ) 4-5cm

Archocentrus spilurum is a Central America species commonly referred to as the Blue-Eye cichlid or simply Spilurum. It has been moved back and forth between various genera within the cichlid family and has for instance been known as Cichlasoma spilurum and Hericthys spilurum.

Archocentrus spilurum hails from northern Central America where it inhabits lakes and rivers along the Atlantic slope from Belize to Nicaragua. It is a rather adaptable fish but prefers shallows and bank areas where the bottom consists of sand, mud or rocks. Slowly moving waters are ideal, such as the waters found in lower river valleys. Vigorous water movements are therefore not recommended in the aquarium. Archocentrus spilurum is considered a relatively peaceful cichlid and it is not very fuzzy when it comes to water conditions and temperature.

The males can reach a maximal length of 7 ½ inches while the females stay somewhat smaller. They can however start breeding when they are much smaller than this, and many specimens never reach a length of 7 inches in their entire life.

Archocentrus spilurum has a rather deep body where the forehead rises sharply from the mouth. If you see a fish with a hump on its head, it is an old male. The main body color varies from olive-green to a yellowish brown, and both sexes sports a golden yellow color from the mouth down through the belly. The dorsal and tail fins are decorated with a vivid red color and features blue spangling. Males are more colorful than females and can also be distinguished on their long and pointy dorsal and anal fins. Females exhibit highly characteristic vertical bars along their sides, and one of these bars will extend into a dark spot located at the dorsal fin.

• Species – Cryptoheros spilurus / spilurum
• Common Name – Blue Eye Cichlid
• Origin – Southern Mexico and Guatemala in lakes and creeks
• Diet – Omnivores
• PH Range – 7 – 8
• Temperature – Tropical 26°c – 30°c
• Breed Type – Egg Layer
• Maximum Size – approximately 12cm
• Sex – Un-sexed