Cribroheros robertsoni

Cribroheros robertsoni inhabits Atlantic slope rivers of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, where it is found in a variety of habitat types from clear rocky streams to turbid lowland rivers. Its pattern of five to seven dark vertical bars on an olive body with scattered blue-green scale iridescence is attractive and distinctive. Males develop more intense coloration and slightly larger bodies.

This species occupies a comfortable middle ground between the small Cryptoheros cave brooders and the large aggressive Vieja or Amphilophus species. It is moderately sized, relatively peaceable outside of spawning, and adaptable to a range of conditions — characteristics that make it an excellent all-round species for hobbyists building their first Central American cichlid community.

C. robertsoni is primarily a cave or crevice spawner, though it will also spawn on flat surfaces when caves are unavailable. Parental care is well developed and the pair typically remains bonded across multiple spawning cycles.

Water: 24–28°C, pH 7.0–8.0, GH 8–18, KH 3–10; moderate water quality; weekly partial changes. Tank: 200 L minimum; caves, rocky crevices, moderate planting; sand substrate preferred. Feeding: Omnivore — small to medium cichlid pellets, frozen bloodworm, mysis, and vegetable flake. Breeding: Cave or flat-rock spawner; biparental care; 150–300 eggs; moderate territorial aggression during spawning. Compatibility: Suitable mixed CA cichlid community with similarly sized fish; avoid very aggressive large species.