Original description as Cichlasoma heterospilum:
ZooBank:91550E47-C70D-4EF4-8B3B-FDD2514403C8.
- Hubbs, Carl Leavitt. 1936. "XVII. Fishes of the Yucatan Peninsula". The Cenotes of Yucatán, a Zoological and Hydrographic Survey. (457)157-287 (crc00250)
Conservation: Oscura heterospila is evaluated by the international union for the conservation of nature in the iucn red list of threatened species as (DD) data deficient (2018). In spite of the widespread deforestation of the forest in the area of distribution of Oscura heterospila and the introduction of exotics, there is no immediate apparent danger to the survival of the species.