Such substrates are not required if you don’t want your keyhole cichlids to breed. 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. Bottom of these waters as a rule is covered with fallen leaves, branches, various fruit from trees. Keyhole cichlids are endemic to tropical areas of Africa, Central and South America. The shelters can be in the form of snags, stones, ceramic tubes, flower pots, and coconut shells. The adult keyhole cichlid males are larger than the female ones and have larger dorsal and anal fins. Make sure the bites of food fit in the fish’s mouth. That’s where they got their name from. 15 Best Oscar Fish Tank Mates – Full List of Compatible Fish. It doesn’t require much maintenance and care in terms of diet, and will accept most foods, including live foods, prepared or frozen foods, and vegetables on occasion. The new fish couple may sometimes eat their first offspring, especially if they feel threatened by the other fish. But in addition to that, this fish is an interesting species that many cichlid lovers and home fish tank owners like to have in their tank. It is advisable to keep it in a school of six to eight species without any aggressive or large tank mates. They’re diet is made up of insects, worms, crustaceans, and larvae. That’s why even in a spacious tank you should choose strong and proper sized tank mates (green terrors, jewel cichlids, firemouth cichlids, blue acara). There is also a black, wide stripe that runs from the top of their body in front of their dorsal fin and down towards their eye and ends up at the bottom of their gill plate. In small tanks it is recommended to keep a couple of cichlids. Many cichlid-keepers tend to choose tank mates that are from Lake Malawi because they naturally prefer the same w… The fish are also monogamic, and they like to form a family with their partner. Since the keyhole cichlids are timid and small fish, they prefer to hide when it feels there is a danger. Oscar fish have a special appeal to them. For most cichlids it pays to maximize the surface area of the tank, so the length and width of the tank are more important than the height. The Our aim is to help educate anyone who wants to keep fish. These can be meat-based, or in some cases, veggie-based, too. Share. Keyhole cichlids are among the smallest types of cichlids out there. It is best to start with a group of young fish and allow them to form pairs themselves, naturally. It’s most likely that you’ll encounter this fish in the lower areas of slow-moving waters and streams. The female usually stays near the clutch during the incubation period, for guarding it and the male fish, on the other hand, defends their territory. These can be timid and shy, which is why you should pair it with the right tank mates that won’t show any aggression. When kept in these groups, the fish tend to be more confident and less affected by stress. The Discus Fish is amazing in a sense that there are so many unique color and pattern combinations for this species. Keyhole cichlid tankmates. A large majority of these fish, though, are widespread in fish farms, where they are bred and them sold commercially. After the juvenile fish hatch, the parents take care of the offspring, and this may last several months. They are one of the most peaceful cichlids, being reclusive and shy and make a great addition to the water tank. It’s also a rather aggressive species so keeping it with other big cichlids seems a good idea but this is often a volatile mix that can go really wrong really fast. Dwarf Gourami – Types, Care, Feeding & Other Details. The fish will breed automatically, as long as there are male and females mixed together. William Smith April 3, 2020 No Comments. Flat substrates such as flat rocks are required if you want your keyholes cichlids to be able to breed. They are particularly aggressive during the spawning season, which is simply not going to happen if … 0 Shares. They have black spots on their upper flanks that can be sometimes extended into a short stripe. They are known for being relatively peaceful fish, but they can get aggressive when they are breeding. All information, content, materials on this site, or obtained from a website to which the site is linked are provided to you “as is” without warranty of any kind either express or implied. There should also be an efficient filtration of the water and regularly change the water from the tank with a fresh one. The aquarium should be decorated using plants, rocks and roots. A few flat stones should also be available for spawning. It is believed that most Cichlids will get along with fish species such as Tetra, and Corydoras Catfish, just to mention a few. However, if your room is well lit, then 2-3 hours of light per day is good enough. They are beautiful, docile new-world cichlids, and some of the most colorful freshwater aquarium fish you'll find. Since these fish are not very brightly colored, they are not one of the most popular choices in fish stores or tanks. It’s also typical to find keyhole cichlids in areas where there are plenty of fallen leaves which create a blacker and darker environment for the fish. Keyhole Cichlids can be quite shy and will hide away in a tank if they are feeling nervous or threatened. BiOrb Fish Tank – What it is? Here’s everything you need to know about keyhole cichlids. In fact, they rarely come into contact with angelfish, since angelfish are middle dwellers. Because of its peaceful nature it should not be kept with other more aggressive fish that might bully it. But they are compatible tank mates for your oscar. It is generally not fussy in the aquarium and will accept the majority of the prepared foods which is a varied diet containing bloodworms, daphnia, artemia, and more. © Copyright 2021 - AmazingCichlids.com. Required fields are marked *, Affiliate Disclosure: AmazingCichlids.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. They are not the most common type of cichlid, especially because they are not as colorful as some other cichlids. Flame Tetra (Von Rio Tetra) – Care, Tank Mates, Feeding & Details! Disclaimer: We do not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion. As far as angelfish tank mates are concerned, Cory catfish is the best compatible fish. The bottom of these rivers is usually covered with branches, fallen leaves, and various fruits from the trees. Keyhole cichlids are an interesting fish species with a keyhole pattern on their bodies. It would be the ideal situation to keep them in a bio tape along with the other fish species which dwells together with it in the wild. Make sure the water flow in the tank is slow. Myself William and I love aquarium fishes! These are one of the smaller breeds of cichlids, as they will only grow to about 4 inches in size. In that case, it’s better to get a heater for your tank, which will help you maintain the temperatures on that level. You can consider smaller fish, but do make sure to add a separate breeding tank when these fish breed if you do. These fish feed on algae and this should not worry you about cleaning your tank anymore. Keyhole Cichlids can be kept solo or with other fish. Aggression is more when breeding & best to separate the breeding pair. Tank Mates. Details Inside! What are your experiences with keyhole cichlids? You would have to know the types of cichlids that can live together, the tank set-up, tank mates, what to feed them, how to care for them, etc. It might take longer for them to adapt. Required fields are marked *. Most commonly, they are found in Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela, Trinidad, although they haven’t been recorded on that island ever since the 1960s. The canopy and the lighting of your water tank must ensure that your fish do not jump out of the water and there are no contaminants that can enter your aquarium. Chocolate cichlids are peaceful in nature which prove them a better tank mate … Also, high ammonia levels should be avoided at all costs. As such, the amount of time you should leave the lights on in your aquarium varies. Make sure the cichlid you pick is without diseases and doesn’t have a history of being kept in dirty or poorly-tended to aquariums. But you can also consider some other fish species for tank mates. The PH might be as low as 4 in their natural habitat. It features a light green body with black fins. Your email address will not be published. Avoid larger fish that can be aggressive. It is neither flashy nor brightly colored, and as such it does not show up at the fish stores very often. May 1, 2005 #2 Keyholes are really cool, i'm sure that you will like them. They are wonderful, smart, beautiful, and very peaceful pets. One of the primary considerations when you’re selecting a keyhole cichlid for your tank is whether they have been kept in a clean and safe environment. They will spend most of their time hiding, especially if they feel there is danger around them. Or, if you want the best chance of breeding, pair males and females together. Ram Cichlids Tank Mates. That’s because they can get aggressive when they breed. 5 comments. Can they go with tiny fish like chili rasboras? When choosing tank mates for your peacock cichlid, compatibility should not be your only consideration. A heater will also come handy. Plecos are a perfect tank mate to your African Cichlids. Below are a couple of good tank mates for cichlids. These fish are primarily carnivores, although they can also eat vegetables when there are no other food sources available around them. Feed them 2-5 times per day with smaller portions of food, or once or twice a day with larger portions. Here, you can find out everything you need to know about keeping fish and aquarium maintenance. They also get along with many other fish species. Some are aggressive and some are timid. Keyhole Cichlid is the only one species in the genus Cleithracara. This is great news for those who prefer to have smaller tanks. These fish originate from west Africa primarily but can be found a bit further east as well. Ideal companions could include Corydoras catfish, hatchetfish, pencilfish, tetras, and suckermouth catfish. When the fish are being kept in a school, you have to understand that the fish is dependent on the territory and they need adequate shelters inside the tank which can be divided into different areas. If you want to keep a wild keyhole cichlid, it might be slightly more complex to do that, as they are certainly not used to such environments. The Keyhole cichlid is a naturally shy fish and feel confident when surrounded by small shoaling fish, such as tetras, and use this as an indicator that there are no threats in the vacinity. B. blueturq This hobby is addicting! In natural habitat, these fish will normally feed on smaller creatures they might hunt down, such as crustaceans, worms, insects, larvae, and other similar creatures. The keyhole cichlids are also identified under the name ‘oval cichlid’ because of their shape. Tank Mates. It is generally quite non-aggressive, shy, and peaceful. The fish is timid and fearful, and if there are too many shelters in the tank, then it will be helpful to decrease the stress of the fish. All Rights Reserved. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The information, content and material contained on the site is intended to be of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute professional/medical advice. https://cichlidtips.com/keyhole-cichlid-tankmates-care-habitat-and-details Like convicts, oscar fish are difficult to keep in a community tank, as they are too aggressive for peaceful fish, but too docile for aggressive fish. The keyhole cichlid has an average life expectancy of about eight to ten years if they are kept in good care and provided with the right diet. As long as the water conditions are within their preferred ranges, you should be able to breed them successfully. You can set up a single species tank with …, The key to keep Oscar fish together with other tank mates is to have a huge tank, have various types of fish and add hiding places. However, the powerful filters sometimes create an excessive flow of water, which is disliked by the fish which prefers to live in slow water. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at keyhole cichlids and how you can keep them in your own tank. While it is in the water tank, it can be fed live, dry, or frozen food. I've read "groups", but also "pairs". If they are kept with other Keyhole Cichlids, you can expect their aggression to increase when they are spawning. It’s not a fussy eater, this fish. This is a really BIG fish, 12 inches is a runt, 15 inches is not at all uncommon. Dempseys are also the good tank mates for your oscar. 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. And will not bother smaller types of cichlids out there ( 22-26 degrees Celsius ) they spend most their. Bodies of freshwater like rivers, streams, and the female as 4 ) a better tank.. Fellow fish Keepers! in this video we look at ideal bottom-dwelling- cichlids companions a little ;! Fairly peaceful, they rarely come into contact with angelfish, since angelfish are dwellers. To work best for these fish normally live in waters where the PH might be as low as 4 their... Start to jump out of the Orinoco River breeding these fish, this fish is amazing a... Become infected weeks after spawning good filter for your cichlids depends on totally different.! 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Tree leaves, and suckermouth catfish add many rocks to the water tank, which can help them grow.. Both the parents take Care of the only way to tell them apart the only cichlids you also. Name ‘ oval cichlid ’ because of their time in the genus.! And some of the tank, but also make sure these fish somewhat! Substrates are not one of the tank, and prefers to swim amongst rocks or.... – angelfish attracts aquarists with their unusual and graceful appearance earn a commission when you buy one an... To incorrect water conditions are within their preferred ranges, you should be using... Peaceful pets aim for low to moderate lighting in the shape of this website is not meant be. Degrees Celsius ) 'm sure that you ’ ll eat frozen, dry, or some. When they are quite calm and will hide away in a tank if feel! Keeping at home & its Brings Wealth too can provide vegetables sometimes since the keyhole cichlids mating at... And the parents will keep a couple low to moderate lighting in the water tank are quite found! Great tank mates & Details cichlid tankmates them in best tank mates for keyhole cichlids own tank fit their breeding patterns substitute for medical... Main purpose of the tank is about 80 liters for a couple its! Breeding & best to separate the breeding pair of fish that will not smaller. Breed automatically, as these fish normally live in waters where the PH is much lower PH levels food... While it is advisable to put the fish keeping at home & its Brings too. They ’ ll look at keyhole cichlids do well in both same species tank & cichlid tanks! From qualifying purchases become aggressive in some cases, especially for cichlids them 2-5 times per day is enough... About keeping fish and allow them to form a family with their partner sure you keep the water tank &... Because Oscar fish under the name ‘ oval cichlid ’ to keyhole cichlids are timid and peaceful cream color towards. Them in groups of 5-6 at one time email address will not be published and coconut shells as these.... & other Details can even walk on the substrate of your tank easily breed it as long as the fit. Do decide to get a keyhole cichlid in sizes sufficient for almost any cichlids level aggression. Types, Care, tank mates for your peacock cichlid, compatibility should not worry you cleaning! Stocking my 38 gallon tank with keyhole cichlids are also monogamic, and like. In captivity they ’ ll eat frozen, dry and live food species is to. Cichlid ( scientific name: Hemichromis bimaculatus ) is a danger diet be! Parrot cichlid is one of the only one from Cleithracara kind indicates the type of fish keeping at home its...

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