Amphilophus is a genus of cichlid fishes[1] from Central America, ranging from southern Mexico to Panama.

However, studies led by Oldřich Říčan in 2008 and 2016 suggested that several species within Amphilophus should be moved to the genus Astatheros.

[2][3] Species proposed to be moved to Astatheros in 2008 were A. alfari, A. altifrons, A. bussingi, A. diquis, A. longimanus, A. macracanthus (which would be the type species for Astatheros), A. margaritifer, A. rhytisma, A. robertsoni and A.

[2] Further genetic studies led Říčan to put A. macracanthus in Astatheros, but to put A. alfari, A. altifrons, A. bussingi, A. diquis, A. longimanus, A. rhytisma, A. robertsoni and A. rostratus within the genus Cribroheros.

[6] Whereas trimaculatus belongs in Amphilophus based on genetics, appearance and behavior, the position of istlanus is less clear, as nDNA places it in Amphilophus, but mDNA places it in Mayaheros; istlanus is likely the result of hybrid speciation involving A. trimaculatus and Mayaheros beani.