Original description as Cichla kelberi:
- Kullander, Sven & Efrem J. G. Ferreira. 2006. "A review of the South American cichlid genus Cichla, with descriptions of nine new species (Teleostei: Cichlidae)". Ichthyological Explorations of Freshwaters. v. 17; n. 4; pp. 289-398 (crc01337)
Conservation: Cichla kelberi is not evaluated by the international union for the conservation of nature in the iucn red list of threatened species.