{"product_id":"blue-eye-cichlid-cryptoheros-spilurus","title":"Blue Eye Cichlid | Cryptoheros spilurus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Blue Eye Cichlid is a compact, characterful Central American cichlid with a striking blue-ringed eye and a body that flushes gold and steel-blue in good condition. Hardy and rewarding, it is a fine first medium cichlid for a keeper ready for a little territorial behaviour. Males reach around 12 cm while females stay smaller, so a pair fits comfortably in a medium tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eCryptoheros spilurus (long sold as Archocentrus spilurus) comes from the warm rivers and streams of the Atlantic slope of Central America, from Guatemala to Honduras, among rocks, roots and submerged wood. The water is warm, neutral to hard and moderately flowing. A tank with rockwork, caves, driftwood and firm planting recreates its home.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA stocky little cichlid marked with dark vertical bars over a tan-to-green body, brightening to gold and turquoise on the flanks, and finished with the vivid blue eye-ring that gives it its name. Males grow larger with longer, more pointed fins, while breeding females often darken and show a coppery belly.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenerally moderate and community-friendly for a cichlid, it becomes distinctly territorial and defensive around a spawning cave. It is best kept as a bonded pair with robust, similarly sized tankmates and plenty of broken sight lines. Give it caves and cover so it can hold a small patch without constant conflict.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivore, the Blue Eye takes quality cichlid pellets and flake along with frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and chopped prawn, plus some vegetable matter. A varied diet keeps it in strong colour and good health.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 110 L for a pair, with 150 L or larger better in a community. Keep temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.0 and neutral to hard water. It appreciates good filtration, some current and stable conditions. Not reliably plant safe, as it may dig around a chosen spawning site, so use hardy or potted plants.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Blue Eye is a cave-spawner and a devoted parent. A pair cleans a cave or crevice, lays its eggs inside and both parents guard the eggs and shepherd the free-swimming fry with real dedication. Warm, stable water and a quiet tank encourage spawning; feed fry newly hatched brine shrimp and fine foods.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCryptoheros spilurus (syn. Archocentrus spilurus)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlue Eye Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAtlantic slope of Central America (Guatemala to Honduras)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 12 cm (males); females smaller, around 8 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (territorial when breeding)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore: cichlid pellets, flake, frozen and live foods, some vegetable matter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to hard, around 8–20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral American cichlid and robust community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo (may dig, especially when breeding)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other medium Central American cichlids, larger tetras and barbs, rainbowfish, and robust catfish such as bristlenose and larger corydoras.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with very small or timid fish that may be bullied or eaten, and with large, highly aggressive cichlids that will dominate it. Give breeding pairs extra space from other bottom-dwellers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232813302051,"sku":null,"price":13.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232813334819,"sku":"AA3560","price":18.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232813367587,"sku":null,"price":23.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Blue_Eye_Cichlid_83f6734a-3d14-4649-8c0d-bb3b39fcaa35.jpg?v=1781699400","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/blue-eye-cichlid-cryptoheros-spilurus","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}