Will keyhole cichlid eat small fish?

What are the best tankmates for keyhole cichlids?

Preferred tankmates for keyhole cichlids are other keyhole cichlids. Other than that, any other freshwater, non-aggressive fish will do. Angelfish or discus cichlids are good options. But avoid smaller fish, like tetras, because your keyhole cichlid might mistake them for food and eat them.

Can keyhole cichlids live with tetras?

While keyhole cichlids are a timid species, they can still be territorial and omnivores, which means they may mistake any small Aquatic species for food. Avoid having smaller species such as tetras in the same tank as keyhole cichlids.

Are keyhole cichlids aggressive?

Their shy nature makes them a great fish to have in a community of non-aggressive species. Keyhole Cichlids are freshwater fish traditionally kept at a temperature of 72-81°F (22-27°C). The temperature ranges allow for them to share a tank with several other freshwater fish.

Is a keyhole cichlid a good fish to start with?

It can be recommended even for the beginners, but still you have to keep in mind that this is a cichlid species and it is hardly suitable for community tanks with small sized fishes. Recommended tank volume for one couple starts from 80 liters (17,6 gallons). Keyhole cichlid is a monogamic fish, it forms couples.

What is the best temperature for keyhole cichlids?

Keyhole Cichlids are freshwater fish traditionally kept at a temperature of 72-81°F (22-27°C). The temperature ranges allow for them to share a tank with several other freshwater fish.

Can you keep keyhole cichlids in a community tank?

Their timid nature of keyhole cichlid makes them ideal for community tanks. It is recommended to keep them with similar fish and similar size, demeanor, pH level, temperature, and tank size. But be warned, they do sometimes eat smaller aquatic creatures like tetras or crustaceans. How many Keyhole Cichlid should be kept together?

Can angelfish and keyhole cichlids live together?

Angelfish and keyhole cichlids are great companions. They’re both non-aggressive freshwater fish and have similar tank requirements. A problem with Angelfish is that some tankmates will nip at their elongated fins, and that is an issue that should not arise when Angelfish are tankmates with keyhole cichlids.

Is the keyhole cichlid (Cleithracara maronii) a good fish to buy?

The keyhole cichlid (Cleithracara maronii) is a very nice, but not very popular freshwater tank fish. Most of pet shops and breeders ignore it because of its timidity and not very bright coloring and this is a big mistake.

Can tiger barbs and keyhole cichlids live together?

Tiger Barbs are a somewhat aggressive species of fish, and that trait only makes them an ill-fit for sharing a tank with keyhole cichlids. Keyhole cichlids are primarily timid and don’t pair well with aggressive species. Simply, keyhole cichlids and tiger barbs should not be contained in the same tank.

Can keyhole cichlids be kept in schools?

Keyhole cichlid is a monogamic fish, it forms couples. When keeping the fish in a school you should bear in mind that the fish is a territory dependent one and there has to be a sufficient number of shelters in the tank, that will divide it into some areas.

Is the keyhole fish good for beginners?

The keyhole fish is neither large nor aggressive. It is quite undemanding and has very interesting behavior. It can be recommended even for the beginners, but still you have to keep in mind that this is a cichlid species and it is hardly suitable for community tanks with small sized fishes.

What size tank does a keyhole cichlid need?

Keyhole cichlids are among the smallest types of cichlids out there. This is great news for those who prefer to have smaller tanks. This fish will prefer to have a 20-gallon tank or larger, depending on how many fish you intend to keep, and how large are the other fish you are keeping it with.

How did the keyhole cichlid get its name?

A dark stripe that starts at the dorsal base goes through the fish eye up to the bottom of its gill cover. In the center of the fish body closer to its tail there is a group of dark spots that resemble a keyhole. Due to this the fish got its name Keyhole cichlid.

What is the scientific name for a keyhole cichlid?

Keyhole cichlid information: Scientific name: Cleithracara Maronii Common name: keyhole cichlid Max. size: 12.5 cm / 5 inches pH range: 6.0 – 8.0 dH range: 20 Temperature range: 22 – 27°C / 72 – 81°F The keyhole cichlid is a rather friendly cichlid that is suitable to be kept with a wide variety of different friendly species.

How big does a keyhole cichlid get?

Keyhole Cichlid (Cleithracara maronii) – A very peaceful species, the keyhole cichlid grows only 4 to 5 inches in length. These fish are very shy and need to have plenty of hiding places in the tank.

How to care for a keyhole fish?

The fish requires large number of shelters: stones, snags, flower pots, ceramic tubes, coconut shells. The fish is fearful and timid and if there are a lot of shelters in the tank it’ll help to decrease the stress. Since the keyhole fish doesn’t dig the tank bottom substrate, it can be kept in most of amateur planted tanks.

What is the recommended tank volume for a keyhole cichlid?

Recommended tank volume for one couple starts from 80 liters (17,6 gallons). Keyhole cichlid is a monogamic fish, it forms couples. When keeping the fish in a school you should bear in mind that the fish is a territory dependent one and there has to be a sufficient number of shelters in the tank, that will divide it into some areas.

What is the lifespan of a keyhole cichlid?

The fish lifespan is 6-8 years. A dark stripe that starts at the dorsal base goes through the fish eye up to the bottom of its gill cover. In the center of the fish body closer to its tail there is a group of dark spots that resemble a keyhole. Due to this the fish got its name Keyhole cichlid.

Why does my keyhole cichlid have white spots?

A common problem in keyhole cichlid that are kept tanks is ichthyophthirius Multifiliis, also known as white spot disease or ich. The most apparent symptom is white spots on the fish, around its body, fins, or gills. Where can I find Keyhole Cichlid for sale?

What is a keyhole cichlid?

Keyhole cichlid is an affordable, easy-to-manage fish that people of any skill level can enjoy. They’re also the perfect species for those looking to breed for the first time, as it’s pretty easy. As long as it’s compatible with the other fish you already have or plan to add, you couldn’t go wrong by adding a keyhole cichlid to your tank today!

Why is it called a cichlid?

The name actually derives from the ancient Greek word for fish. The cichlids are part of the order Cichliformes (remember, families are lower classifications than orders, and genera are lower classifications than families). The only other family in this order (known as the convict blenny) contains just two species.

What is keyhole cichlid?

Keyhole Cichlid (Cleithracara maronii) originates from South America found in the lower Orinoco Basin in Venezuela . It is the only one species in the genus Cleithracara.

What is the best pH level for keyhole cichlids?

But the good news is that most, or all of the keyhole cichlids sold commercially have gotten used to neutral PH levels, which is why you can make sure that you try to keep it in those ranges. However, these fish will tolerate much lower PH levels to about 4, which is what you can also maintain in your tank.

How to care for a keyhole cichlid?

When keeping a keyhole cichlid, it is essential to keep them happy. A tank large enough for them is crucial, as is a pH level of 6. 0 -7. 2 and temperature between 72 – 81°F. Tanks that have keyhole cichlid in them don’t need much light, as they prefer darkness.

Can a keyhole fish live in a planted tank?

Since the keyhole fish doesn’t dig the tank bottom substrate, it can be kept in most of amateur planted tanks. The keyhole fish looks best in a tank simulating its natural biotope – small grained sand on the bottom, tree leaves, roots and snags. Several large flat stones you put may become future spawning substrate for the fish.

How long can keyhole cichlids survive?

It is a ciliate that seeps through the keyhole cichlids’ skin and can survive eight weeks under the right temperature. At around 1 mm in size, they detach themselves from the cichlid and swim off. The pathogen continues to grow and multiply until it needs to reattach itself to a host.