✅Keyhole Cichlid: Introduction and Care Guide
✅ Introduction
The Keyhole Cichlid (Cleithracara maronii) is a peaceful, attractive freshwater fish native to the slow-moving waters of rivers and streams in South America, particularly in Venezuela, Trinidad, and the Guianas. Known for the keyhole-shaped marking on their sides, these fish are a popular choice for aquarists looking for a relatively peaceful cichlid species.
✅ Appearance
- **Size**: They typically grow to about 4-5 inches (10-12 cm) in length.
- **Color**: Keyhole Cichlids have a beige to light brown body color with darker vertical bands and a distinctive black "keyhole" mark on their sides.
- **Lifespan**: With proper care, they can live up to 8-10 years in captivity.
✅Tank Requirements
- **Tank Size**: A minimum of 30 gallons is recommended for a pair. A larger tank is necessary if housing them with other fish.
- **Water Parameters**:
- Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- Hardness: 2-15 dGH
- **Filtration**: A good quality filter that can handle biological filtration is important. The tank should have a gentle water flow to mimic their natural habitat.
- **Substrate**: Sand or fine gravel substrate is ideal.
- **Decor**: Provide plenty of hiding spots using rocks, driftwood, and plants. They appreciate a well-planted tank with areas to retreat and explore.
✅ Diet
Keyhole Cichlids are omnivorous. Their diet should include:
- High-quality flake or pellet food as a staple.
- Live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia.
- Occasional vegetable matter like blanched spinach or peas.
✅ Behavior and Tank Mates
- **Temperament**: They are one of the more peaceful cichlid species but can be territorial, especially during breeding.
- **Tank Mates**: Suitable tank mates include other peaceful fish like tetras, Corydoras catfish, and other small to medium-sized community fish. Avoid aggressive or very active fish.
✅Breeding
- **Breeding Setup**: To encourage breeding, maintain optimal water conditions and provide flat surfaces for them to lay eggs.
- **Spawning**: The female will lay eggs on a flat surface, which both parents will guard. After hatching, the fry can be fed finely crushed flakes or baby brine shrimp.
✅ Maintenance
- Perform regular water changes (20-30% weekly) to maintain water quality.
- Monitor water parameters regularly to ensure they remain within the ideal range.
- Keep an eye out for signs of stress or illness, such as loss of color, lack of appetite, or abnormal behavior.
By providing a well-maintained environment and a balanced diet, Keyhole Cichlids can thrive and become a delightful addition to a community aquarium.
Note:
We can’t ship Livestock and Live Plants to WA and TAS due to State Restrictions. Kindly check out our DOA and other policies before purchase!!
What to Expect from Us
All Aquatic plants and animals come with a 100% live arrival guarantee!!
Important Notes:
Our goal is to use the fastest delivery service possible, although the shipping fee may be higher, we always want our customers to be satisfied and make sure the livestock arrives at your door safe and healthy.
** DOA POLICY UPDATED AUGUST 02 2023
** Area do not ship.
** Shipping Unit.
** How long is the shipping time for livestock?
** For other shipping.
However, the shrimp and fish you receive may be discolored and the reason of this issue is strong vibration during transportation and they're not be fed during the transport period
To handle this problem we highly recommend to you:
🚩Let the fish relax helps them adapt to any changes in water temperature in the tank. Also prevents pH shock - an imbalance between the water in the shop tank and your tank.
🚩Place the fish bag in a cool, corner, and dark place. Prevent the bag from being bumped, slipped, or dropped. This'll give your new fish a good recovery and acclimatization after a shaky ride from the shop to your home.
🚩Feed your old fish first to distract them, preventing them from bullying your new fish.
🚩Your new aquarium tank should have a pH of zero ammonia and chlorine before adding new fish.
🚩Turn off the lights, reduce the glare in the room, or limit the light entering the aquarium. This will help the new fish not be stressed.