AQUATICS BY GEORGE
KEYHOLE CICHLID CARE
Keyhole Cichlid Care Guide by George Sebastian
The keyhole cichlid (Cleithracara maronii) is a South American member of the Cichlidae family, which is too large to be considered a "dwarf", with a maximum adult size of around 3 - 4 inches (up to about 10 cm for a male, and up to about 7 cm for a female), but they are one of the more "peaceful" species, similar to most South American dwarves. The ones in the hobby are mostly captive bred, but they originated from Trinidad, Venezuala, Suriname and Guyana. Their colours can vary depending on the mood, from cream to yellow to nearly black, and the "eye spot" on the side, in the shape of an old fashioned keyhole, is their most identifying characteristic.
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WATER CONDITIONS
Keyhole cichlids are very adaptable, and can be kept in a range of conditions, provided that they are stable, and within the normal range of most tropical fish species, but in the wild they would be found in slow-moving rivers and "black water" habitats with very low mineral content, and sometimes a pH as low as 4.0 or 5.0. The temperature would range from between 21 and 28 C. In captivity, they are best kept at a pH between 4.0 and 7.5, and total dissolved solids between 36 to 236 PPM.
They like to have some hiding spots to retreat to, since they can be a bit shy, so aquarium caves, halved terracotta pots, piles of driftwood, aquatic plants, and piles of leaf litter all make great additions, to make them feel a bit more comfortable. An addition of smooth, flat rocks will give them a place to lay eggs, if they decide to breed. If you choose to use a substrate, it should ideally be either smooth sand or fine gravel.
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COMPATIBILITY
Keyholes are generally peaceful, and will get along with most community fish species, and will not typically eat any other fish which is larger than a few millimeters, but when they breed, they will protect their brood fiercely, which is typical of cichlids, however they tend not to do much damage, although being chased and butted can cause the other fish to become very stressed. A good choice would be a surface dwelling species, like hatchetfish or pencilfish, which will also help to make the keyholes less shy. My own have also been tankmates to Corydoras catfish, Ancistrus bristlenose catfish, Hypancistrus sp. catfish and they have gotten along very well. The only trouble happened when two of the original three paired off, and started bullying the extra male, who had to be rehomed.
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FEEDING
Keyholes are not fussy eaters, and they'll accept most foods, but I prefer to offer a variety of foods including high quality sinking pellets designed for cichlids, frozen/thawed bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia, live white worms and chopped earthworms, and sometimes peas. They also like to pick at the spirulina wafers and zucchini which I use to feed their bristlenose catfish tankmates.
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BREEDING
They can become aggressive at breeding time, especially to others of their own species, and I would recommend giving a pair a tank of their own, with no other bottom dwellers around, if you'd like to breed them. They take excellent care of their young (although it may take quite a few tries for them to get the hang of it. Mine ate all of the eggs, the first several times, and then ate most of the eggs from the clutch, and only kept a few, for their first successful attempt), and care for them for several months after hatching. They can lay up to 300 eggs, and incubation takes about 3-5 days, and they become free swimming within another several days, after that. They should be fed baby brine shrimp, daphnia, microworms, or high quality powdered fry food.
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CLOSE
Although they may lack the bright colours of some of the more popular tropical fish species, keyholes will always be one of my personal favourites, for their curiosity and intelligence, and if you give them a chance, I think that you'll find that they are also very beautiful, in their own way.
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SOURCES:
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/cleithracara-maronii/
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile64.html
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fwsubwebindex/oltimrsmonks.htm
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A few keyhole cichlids are available for rehoming, bred and raised here at Aquatics By George. $10 pick up in Abbotsford preferred, or I may be able to deliver within BC if needed (email aquaticsbygeorge@gmail.com for details).
These guys are getting big now, all over 2.5" (adult size around 3-4"), and they're a quite peaceful species.
These guys are eating everything - live white worms, frozen thawed bloodworms, small earthworms, "Critter Crumbs", spirulina flakes, small sinking cichlid pellets etc. (Free samples of Critter Crumbs are available with your new pets.)
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ALSO AVAILABLE:
-Electric blue crayfish, Red cherry shrimp, Amano/Algae eating shrimp, Nerite snails.
-Algae eating bristlenose Ancistrus catfish (Calico and silvertip)
Aquatics By George also has basically everything you will need to get started with your new aquarium or terrarium:
Aquariums and terrariums (10, 20, 30 and more)
All kinds of supplies and accessories, (Digital thermometers, sponge filters, check valves, stainless steel airline splitters / gang valves etc.
Hides (aspen log hides for reptiles, rodents, birds and other small animals and terracotta hides for wet pets)
Live plants (both aquatic and terrestrial, some suitable for low light, low temperature set ups)
Live foods (White worms, microworms, captive bred European Nightcrawlers ,
High quality prepared foods, (Rangen soft/moist sinking carnivore pellets", "Critter Crumbs" (for fish and inverts)
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Aquatics By George supplies locally-bred aquatic pets, both aquatic and terrestrial plants, high-quality foods, aquariums, terrariums and various supplies and accessories, as well as 3D printed reptile and amphibian collectibles, for aquarium, terrarium, and paludarium enthusiasts and hobbyists, retailers, educators and classrooms.
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Free consultation, advice and help with any aquarium questions, problems or emergencies is available, any time of day or night. No purchase necessary.
Free water testing is also available, any time.
Have you seen one of our products available for a lower price, from another local seller? Let me know, and I might be able to match it for you.
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Let me know if you have any questions by email or text.
You can also text me and I will get back to you as soon as possible, (often get distracted by my aquariums and painting, so please be patient while I get back to you, or try calling if it's an emergency.)
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Thanks for looking!
George - Aquatics By George (Aquarium and Terrarium Supply, Consultation and Creations)