For People With Experience Of Keyhole Cichlids

[emma12321]

Hello, first time posting in this section

I have recently seen some keyhole cichlids and think they are great but i'm not sure if they would be compatible with the fish i already have (see profile Rio 400) The tank is well planted and ph 7.

The fish i have seen were about 2 inches long, can they be sexed at this size? Also if i was to get some would i be best getting a single fish or a pair and if the pair turned out to be the same sex would it cause any problems?

From what i have researched about them some sites say they will be fine with tetras other say with larger tetras, i'm thinking the main threat will be to platy and bristlenose plec fry.

Anyone with personal experience have any comments?

Would it work if i kept a single one in a 24x12x15 high tank with some smaller dither fish, i'm thinking this size is too small for a pair right?

Thanks

Emma

p.s this is all my boyfriends fault, if he would let me set the spare 4 footer up i could have a dedicated cichlid tank

 

[chrismr]

Keyholes are incredibly peaceful, and should generally be house with other peaceful, not too boisterous fish.

They are nearly impossible to sex. When they are fully grown, the male will be slightly larger than the female, and apparently should have more elongated anal and dorsal fins. Mine both have what looks to me like elongated dorsal and anal fins, but one was slightly larger. It was not until they had spawned that I could be sure they were a definite male/female pair.

They take about 1.5 to 2 years to reach sexual maturity. If you get two of the same sex, there will probably be some mild territorial disputes, but they should generally still get along.

It is hard to say for definite if it is recommended for you to add any to that Rio 400 tank, as you would need to list the specific fish you have in there.

I would recommend at least a 3 foot tank for them, although some have kept and bred them in a 2 foot.

 

[emma12321]

Hi,

Does anyone else have any comments? It's the first time i've seen them for sale and i'm sure the shop won't have them for long. List of fish is in profile as stated above.

Emma

 

[aloaring]

Well Chrismr information is pretty accurate, keyholes are the most peaceful and hardy cichlids around and will get along with anybody. Looking at your profile you have a lot of fish (though you don't say how many of each) in that rio 400 but the rio 400 holds approx 87 uk gallons. 87 gallons is more than enough for keyholes but it depnds on how many other fish there are and how many keyholes you want to buy.
I have to tell you that the keyholes you see in the shops are usually babies my boyfreind has four full grown keyholes in his tank and they do grow quite large (one is about 7 inches long). They are also relatively shy and like their tanks to be planted around the edges with some swimming spce and they need flat rocks to lay eggs on.
I would also recommend looking at dwrf cichlids as they are smaller, more colourful but have the same cichlid attitude!!