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Spilurus Cichlid
Cryptoheros spilurus
📍 Central America
The Spilurus Cichlid, also known as the Blue-eyed Cichlid, is a colorful and moderately sized Central American cichlid popular among hobbyists for its striking appearance and interesting behavior. It displays beautiful iridescent blue-green scales and vivid red-orange coloration on its belly, especially during breeding. Though relatively peaceful for a cichlid, it can become territorial during spawning, making tank mate selection important.
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Care Guide
Diet
Cryptoheros spilurus is an omnivore that thrives on a varied diet including high-quality cichlid pellets or flakes as a staple. Supplement regularly with live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia to enhance coloration and condition. Feed adults twice daily, offering only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes to maintain water quality.
Behavior
The Spilurus Cichlid is generally peaceful compared to many cichlid species but will become noticeably territorial and aggressive during spawning periods. It is an active swimmer that explores the middle and lower zones of the aquarium, often rearranging substrate and decor. Pairs form strong bonds and exhibit fascinating parental care behaviors, guarding eggs and fry diligently.
Breeding
Cryptoheros spilurus is a substrate spawner and relatively easy to breed in captivity, making it a good choice for hobbyists new to cichlid breeding. The pair will clean a flat surface such as a rock or slate, where the female deposits eggs that are then fertilized and guarded by both parents. Raising the temperature slightly to around 27-28°C and performing regular water changes can help trigger spawning behavior.
Tank Mates
Similar size and temperament but both can become territorial, especially during breeding; provide ample space and hiding spots
Compatible in size but both species are aggressive breeders; best kept with plenty of territory and visual barriers
Peaceful bottom dweller that helps with algae control and generally ignored by Spilurus Cichlids
Larger, peaceful cichlid that can hold its own without being overly aggressive toward Spilurus
Similar Central American origin and compatible temperament; coexists well with adequate space
Peaceful cichlid but may be bullied by Spilurus during breeding; provide hiding spots and monitor behavior
Common Diseases
Ich (White Spot Disease)
Small white spots resembling grains of salt on body and fins, flashing against surfaces, lethargy, loss of appetite
Raise water temperature gradually to 30°C, treat with copper-based medication or malachite green; perform frequent water changes
Hole-in-the-Head Disease (HITH)
Pitting or erosion on the head and lateral line, loss of color, mucus trails from lesions
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, reduce activated carbon use, treat with metronidazole and ensure a varied nutritious diet
Bacterial Infection (Fin Rot)
Fraying or disintegrating fins, reddened fin edges, lethargy, loss of appetite
Improve water quality, perform water changes, treat with antibiotics such as kanamycin or erythromycin
Bloat (Malawi Bloat / Dropsy)
Swollen abdomen, raised scales (pinecone appearance), lethargy, loss of appetite, clamped fins
Isolate affected fish, treat with metronidazole and Epsom salt baths; improve diet and water quality to prevent recurrence
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Quick Facts
- diet
- omnivore - accepts pellets, flakes, live and frozen foods such as bloodworms and brine shrimp
- lifespan
- 8-10 years
- max size
- 13 cm (5 in)
- tank size
- 40 gallons minimum
- temperament
- semi-aggressive
Water it likes
- ph
- 7.0-8.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 8-20 dGH
- temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)