Jade-eye Cichlid Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

The Jade-eye Cichlid is a compact, robust Central American cichlid with an oval body, a pointed dorsal fin and expressive blue-green eyes that give the species its common name. Its base colour ranges from greyish brown to olive, often becoming more vivid when the fish is excited, breeding or defending a territory. Dark markings along the body may become particularly prominent in dominant adults.

Cryptoheros spilurus is native to Central America, occurring in freshwater habitats in Belize, Guatemala and Honduras, including rivers, streams, lagoons and calm waters connected to the Caribbean drainage. It is associated with warm, often vegetated waters containing rocks, submerged wood and plenty of hiding places.

A single adult or compatible pair should have at least 200 litres, with a footprint of around 120 × 45 cm or larger preferred because floor area is important for territorial behaviour. Use sand or smooth fine gravel, and arrange rocks, caves, driftwood and robust plants to create shelter and visual barriers. Leave open swimming space, secure heavy decor against digging, and provide efficient filtration with good oxygenation and regular maintenance. A water temperature of 22–28°C and a pH around 6.5–8.0 suit this adaptable species.

Males can reach about 15 cm (6 inches) in total length, while females are usually smaller at around 12 cm (4.7 inches).

These omnivorous cichlids should receive a varied diet based on a good-quality cichlid pellet or granule, supplemented with foods such as chopped prawns, mysis shrimp, bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. Some spirulina-based foods and soft vegetables can provide useful plant matter. Offer modest portions once or twice daily and remove uneaten food to protect water quality.

Jade-eye Cichlids are best kept as a compatible pair or as the sole cichlid in a carefully planned community aquarium. Suitable companions include sturdy, similarly sized Central American livebearers, larger robust tetras, peaceful barbs and other durable mid-sized fish that are not easily intimidated. Avoid small, delicate species, long-finned fish and timid bottom dwellers, as this cichlid becomes strongly territorial during spawning. Other cichlids should only be considered in a very spacious aquarium with clearly separated territories.

Jade-eye Cichlids are cave-spawning, biparental cichlids that will usually breed readily when kept as a compatible pair. Provide a sheltered cave beneath a rock, flowerpot or piece of driftwood, where the female can attach several hundred eggs to the surface. The male fertilises them and both parents guard the eggs and fan them with their fins. The eggs generally hatch after two to three days, with the fry becoming free-swimming a few days later. Feed free-swimming fry newly hatched brine shrimp or another suitably fine food, while the parents continue to defend them.

Males are generally larger and may develop longer, more pointed dorsal and anal fins, while females tend to remain shorter-bodied with rounder fins. Mature females can also show a fuller abdomen, especially when carrying eggs, and both sexes may display stronger colour and markings when breeding.