Though it was time for an update

[Fishkeeper123]

So I entered my tank into the TOTM, showing of my new additions but yet to tell everyone what been happening.

2 weeks ago I added 6 yellow rainbowfish, the main reason for this was because I felt the need of dither fish to divert the aggression between the acara who was bullying the keyhole and it was getting a bit feisty between the ram and acara as well. They got added but it was followed by the acara attacking the rainbowfish at first but then it stopped after a bit.

Fast forward to Friday, this was when I entered the TOTM contest. I was undecided on what to do and whether to rehome the acara and even the ram and get more keyholes. I was planning on waiting a little while but when I came home after going out for a couple of hours the acara was nowhere to be seen.
After doing a heavy check of the tank, still no sign, I removed all fake plants and then I found him. Facing upwards inside one of my decorations. I had to gently push him out with my finger(which was terrifying). However, he managed to break free and survive.
Therefore I decided to go to the fish store and get some aquarium salt. However, the person there recommended a general tonic solution because it didn’t kill the plants. Therefore I bought that and the salt along with some new plants and a nice piece of driftwood. I dosed out the general tonic and added it to my tank and it turned it bright green. However after doing research the 2 main ingredients are yellow and blue.
I went to see the tank a few hours later and saw a Cory upside down and the fish all at the bottom of the tank and the keyhole quite a black colour, so I did a water change to half the dosage(I dosed the tank correctly)and everything has seemed better.
The acara has been improving since then and has gone back to his usual self, picking on the other fish. However I have seen the ram defend against the acara and the ram and keyhole get on very well at the moment and travel around the tank together. This experience has left me soooo unsure on what to do with the tank. I’ve realised how much I cared about the acara especially as he’s so social and interactive. However I enjoy the other 2 cichlids as well so not sure what I will do from now on.
I’ll attach some photos of the acaras injuries and the colour of the tank right now. No help needed for medicine and recovery of the acara just thought it was time for an update.

 

[Naughts]

My advice would be to separate the acara.
I had to buy another tank to sort out compatibility issues when tiger barbs were picking on cories. The stress on the fish can cause health issues, that is in addition to injuries inflicted by the aggressor/ trying to escape.

 

[MaloK]

I agree, there's good chances the fish ended in that position trying to hide.

 

[Fishkeeper123]

I agree, there's good chances the fish ended in that position trying to hide.

The acara is the bully he definitely wouldn’t be hiding. He spends most of his time glass surfacing, exploring or being a pain to the other fish. I also can’t get another tank. And I thoroughly enjoy each cichlid especially the acara so separating would mean rehoming which would be difficult to do and he’s being medicated right now to help his wound. For the tank I either will go down the acara route which will be rehome the keyhole, maybe the ram and maybe others or go down the keyhole route which would be rehome the acara maybe rehome the ram and get more keyholes. But I’m so undecided and the only thing the ram tolerates are the pleco and danios because they avoid him and the cories because they stick together and also try to avoid him. However the acara is I guess what I wanted and a smaller and should have been friendlier version of a jack Dempsey which is what I would have liked( as my tank is too small) so really don’t know what to do other than monitor behaviour. As well as this I don’t have much money so redoing the whole tank stocking wouldn’t be great.

 

[Naughts]

The acara is the bully he definitely wouldn’t be hiding

With the ram and the cupid buddying up they will have a new found confidence. Rams can be extremely territorial. Carefully observe the tank.

Watch if anyone has latency to feed, dull colours or unusual markings, irregular swimming, darting or retreating, missing scales or torn fins, breathing rate. Noting these things may reveal a sudden shift in the targets and victims of the aggressive behaviour.

Regardless, the acara is the common denominator and his removal should restore peace.

 

[Fishkeeper123]

If I were to rehome the acara would you recommend getting more keyholes as I know they like to be in groups. The main fish that don’t go for food as much is the cories. The rainbows and danios always get the food. I sprinkle the food around the tank but the cichlids feed together. Then the cories eat the algae wafer(s) before the pleco comes over to steal it. They do seem to lack confidence but they stick in a small groups and never kept picked on by the cichlids.
The only reason for not removing the acara is because of him being so interactive. I’ve got lots to think through but I’ll finish the treatment and make sure he’s healthy before I look into a new home.

 

[Naughts]

would you recommend getting more keyholes as I know they like to be in groups.

Yes.

 

[Naughts]

Then the cories eat the algae wafer(s)

Try other sinking foods, cories are omnivores so need more than algae wafers. Catfish pellets or Bug Bites bottom feeder formula, in addition to frozen and live foods will be more appealing.

 

[Fishkeeper123]

Yes.

I do really like my keyhole. How would you advise my stocking? Keep the ram? How many more keyholes? Rehome anything else(danios, rainbowfish, cories)? If they breed what do I do, leave it as I won’t have another tank and the Bristlenose will likely eat the fry.(I’m don’t plan on rehoming the BN no matter what)
I feed bug bites which they don’t really like but eat a few, they do eat when I feed vibra bites which I push to the bottom. They do eat most days I just meant in terms of the other fish.

 

[Naughts]

I do really like my keyhole. How would you advise my stocking? Keep the ram? How many more keyholes? Rehome anything else(danios, rainbowfish, cories)? If they breed what do I do, leave it as I won’t have another tank and the Bristlenose will likely eat the fry.(I’m don’t plan on rehoming the BN no matter what)
I feed bug bites which they don’t really like but eat a few, they do eat when I feed vibra bites which I push to the bottom. They do eat most days I just meant in terms of the other fish.

What size is your tank?
As you are seeing, cichlids in community tanks can be problematic. assuming space is sufficient, I would add 4 more cupids then watch the ram very carefully, and pull it if the dynamics change. Everyone else should be fine

 

[Fishkeeper123]

What size is your tank?
As you are seeing, cichlids in community tanks can be problematic. assuming space is sufficient, I would add 4 more cupids then watch the ram very carefully, and pull it if the dynamics change. Everyone else should be fine

180l(1m,40cm,45cm) , they are keyhole cichlids. Not sure if they are the same as cupids. Thanks for the help.

 

[Naughts]

Sorry, same advice for keyholes!

 

[Fishkeeper123]

Sorry, same advice for keyholes!

All good just checking it wouldn’t be change what you had said.

 

[GaryE]

All 3 Cichlids are open spawners, so they all want the same turf. How they act out will depend on their sexes. Rams and keyholes are among the gentlest of South American Cichlids, but many male blue acaras get rowdy, and they get larger and stronger than the other two.

To keep Mr Acara, he needs his own tank.

I have a real soft spot for keyholes. I had a breeding pair once, and they were the dumbest Cichlids I ever kept, but in a saintly dumb way. They bred in a community tank, and guarded the fry beautifully for 23 hours and 50 minutes a day. For 10 minutes every day, Mom and Dad would go for a stroll together, side by side, like a loving couple. When they got back, all their tankmates were full and their fry had gone somewhere. They did it again and again. I had nowhere to put the fry, so I just watched and marveled.

 

[Fishkeeper123]

All 3 Cichlids are open spawners, so they all want the same turf. How they act out will depend on their sexes. Rams and keyholes are among the gentlest of South American Cichlids, but many male blue acaras get rowdy, and they get larger and stronger than the other two.

To keep Mr Acara, he needs his own tank.

I have a real soft spot for keyholes. I had a breeding pair once, and they were the dumbest Cichlids I ever kept, but in a saintly dumb way. They bred in a community tank, and guarded the fry beautifully for 23 hours and 50 minutes a day. For 10 minutes every day, Mom and Dad would go for a stroll together, side by side, like a loving couple. When they got back, all their tankmates were full and their fry had gone somewhere. They did it again and again. I had nowhere to put the fry, so I just watched and marveled.

Yeah I think more keyholes would be the best for the tank they are such lovely little fish. I’m not interested in breeding for now but in the future will look into trying to raise the fry. How long do you think the wound will take to heal? Also if I get 3 more and then a pair couple should I rehome the rest? Or keep the group? I kind of want the acara to get a new home. I think he would be a nice tankmate with your largish South American cichlids like severums, angelfish… Are keyholes easy to sex?