[4] It is strongly predatory, typically feeding on fish and other small animals, but it may also take fruits and seeds.

[2] It is currently the only recognized species in the genus Kronoheros, but it is likely it will be split into at least two separate species, as there are significant variations in the appearance and genetic studies have shown clear differences between those from the Tuira River of Panama and the Atrato River of Colombia (genetic data is lacking for other populations).

The second group includes Colombian individuals from the Chocó region, the northwest (including Atrato River) and locally near San Rafael (where possibly introduced; this region is part of the Magdalena basin that otherwise is inhabited by the third group), and is sometimes known as the black umbee or black gorillus.

It is the "true" turquoise cichlid (although if split, the scientific name Kronoheros umbriferus belongs to the Panama population) and it is also known as the blue umbee.

As suggest by the names, they are densely covered in turquoise-blue spots, including some on the face and operculum.