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The Spilurum (Jade-Eyed Cichlid) is a relatively peaceful mid-sized Cichlid and makes an interesting addition for a smaller Cichlid community containing Sajica, Salvini and Convicts (Nigrofasciatum). This species is not as easily available as it should be, with its smaller adult size, cute looks, brilliant Jade eyes, colour changes and eagerness to breed, it should theoretically make it as popular as the Convict, with which it shares a striking resemblance. It is probably the most underrated of the small Central American species, with its warm colours and attentive parenting. They can successfully raise a brood within a community environment without too much disruptive behaviour and would therefore make an ideal breeding programme the beginner Cichlid enthusiast, or the experienced who haven't a great deal of tank space. Care should be taken if keeping with Convicts, because according to reports, there is a possibility of cross breeding occurring, resulting in unwanted hybrids.  Sexing the Jade-Eyed is easily done with juveniles of about 1.5" as the female features a black eye spot in the centre of the dorsal fin, which is absent in the male. Fully grown males can also develop a nuchal hump.  The total adult length of these fish is approx. 5" for the male, with females slightly smaller. They originally come from the Atlantic slope of Central America and have been reported from the Rio Polochic in the highlands of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras and Nicaragua. They were first described by Gunther, 1862. A number of colour morphs seem to exist for this species, which can make identification somewhat difficult and in fact is often confused in commercial literature. Another problem that I have come across is the fact that both parents undergo a colour change when getting ready to breed. The normal colouration is of browns and reds in both male and female, these change dramatically to a grey/white body with prominent black stripes while spawning and, as I have noticed, stay that way until all the fry are removed from the tank (even after 10 weeks plus). It is thought that the colour morphs are an important part in preventing hybridizing in nature, presumably with the Convict Cichlid. Spawning When spawning the Spilurum feature vertical black bars with a downwards sloping black mark from the bottom of the eye to the edge of the mouth while eggs and wrigglers are present;- the female also darkens to almost jet black and will defend the brood with vigour. The young keep the grey/white body with black stripes (mine are 3 months old now and still keep that colouration).  This species is easy to feed and thrives on much the same food as other small to medium-sized Central American Cichlids, such as pellets, flake and frozen foods. Breeding A pair of Spilurum will normally start to show signs of breeding at a relatively small size of 2.5" and is carried out in the usual smaller Central American Cichlid way, with 200 - 300 eggs deposited on a rock (or flowerpot) which hatch in about 3 days at a temp of 78-80F. A number of pits are dug and the wrigglers are moved from one to the other until, after a further 5 days, they are free swimming. The fry are easily fed on newly hatched brine shrimp and can take powdered flake food after about 10 days. The parents will spit out bits of food for the wrigglers to eat and, once they become free swimming, will collect any stragglers in their mouth and spit them back into the nest. The parents are very attentive towards their fry and protect them for a couple of months until they are ready to spawn again. The fry will reach a size of about 1" after 8 weeks if fed protein food, with lots of water changes and can then be removed to a growing on tank, leaving the parents to spawn again. Personal experience I purchased 4 fish from a LFS, two males and two females. The two pairs were about 3" in size and were placed in a community Cichlid set-up containing Convicts, Salvini, Firemouths and Jack Dempsey. The colouration of both pairs was the brown/red body and I had difficulties identifying the species (you may have seen my posts on BCA Forum). To make matters worse, this fish has been misidentified in David Sands' book on Central American Cichlids. (The fish photographed under "Cichlasoma Spilurum" is a yellow morph, while the one photographed under "Cichlasoma Spinosissimum" are the fish in breeding colours).   Two pairs formed within a week and both pairs were placed in separate 18" tanks containing a tgin gravel substrate, a flowerpot on its side and a sponge filter. The ph was 6.8- 7 with a hardness of 6 degrees. The fish then changed from the brown/red colouration to the grey/white with black stripes. Eggs were laid within 48 hours of moving from the community and the parents proved very protective of the eggs during water changes. The eggs hatched after about 3 days and the fry were free swimming after a further 5 days. I fed the fry on frozen brine shrimp and watched them grow with interest. After about 6 weeks I moved the fry from both tanks into a grow-out tank and the parents immediately started the process over again with eggs duly laid. It was at this stage I noticed I had missed about 10 of the first brood in one tank and the parents were trying their best to defend the eggs. The eggs did hatch but the fry disappeared overnight (I don't know if it was the parents or the juveniles who ate them). I moved that pair back into a community tank thinking they might not spawn if there was competition, but within 3 days there were eggs on a rock in the corner and all the other fish were kept at the opposite side of the tank by an angry male! I have left them in this status quo and they are happily raising their third brood with half of a 3 foot tank all to themselves. Interestingly the second pair which I left with the fry (about 12 weeks now) are still protecting them (especially during the water changes) and showing no signs of wanting to spawn again. It seems that as long as they have some fry to protect, they are content with their lot. They still show the spawning colours but I suspect if the fry are removed, eggs will soon appear. Conclusion I would highly recommend this species to both the newcomer and experienced aquarist as there is nothing quite as rewarding as watching your charges pair up, lay eggs, raise fry and start over;- now after breeding Jack Dempsey, Convicts and Spilurum, confidence is high and I've just noticed eggs from a pair of Salvini and a pair of Managuense (oh joy!!) Copyright; Text; Bill Jones. Photographs;- Stephanie Dillon. (This article was first published in the BCA magazine "Cichlidae" for which Bill wishes to record his thanks to Jim Dawson and Nick Reid for their encouragement for his first article. Later it was printed in the Preston and District AS newsletter which Bill produces.) |
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