Cookies seem to be disabled in your browser, therefore this website will NOT work properly! Please, consider enabling Cookies in order to maximise your user experience while browsing.
Recent discussions at Aqua-Fish+
  1. TheFishWorks at A guide on growing aquarium plants with FAQ, forum and species on
  2. Salviashaman at A guide on caring for Congo tetra (Phenacogrammus interruptus) on …display more of the recent discussions
  3. Salviashaman at A guide on setting a South American blackwater stream biotope aquarium on
  4. Figureguy at Chemistry of Aquarium Water with FAQ on
  5. Jackson20 at A guide on feeding aquarium fish frozen foods on
  6. Senator Wisdom at Bloodfin tetra (Aphyocharax alburnus) on
  7. CayceR at A page and forum devoted to keeping Blood parrot cichlids on
  8. Ness at A guide on raising African Dwarf Frogs with pictures and forum on
  9. Terry Mitchell at A guide on breeding, feeding and caring for L333 Pleco on
  10. Terry Mitchell at A guide on breeding, feeding and caring for L333 Pleco on
Keyhole cichlid - Cleithracara maronii

Keyhole cichlid - Cleithracara maronii

Scientific name: Cleithracara maronii

Common name: Keyhole cichlid

Family: Cichlidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 10 - 12 cm (3.94 - 4.72 inch)

014

Recommended pH range for the species: 6.8 - 8

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 12 - 30°N (214.29 - 535.71ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 24 - 27 °C (75.2 - 80.6°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: South America

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

Origin

The Keyhole cichlid originates from South America. They inhabit waterways that are blackwater and very slow moving. The waters are highly acidic and vegetated. They can be found in French Guiana and Suriname.

Short description

The Keyhole cichlid have proven to be a very popular species with fishkeepers and have been around for quite a long time. It gets its common name from the pronounced keyhole shaped markings on the side of it’s body. Compared to other cichlid species they are not over aggressive making them ideal tank mates for other species of fish that have a similar disposition but they will increase their aggression levels during spawning times. They do not grow too large either making them ideal for medium sized aquariums, adult specimens will reach an average length of up to 4.75 inches and they occupy the middle levels allowing room for bottom dwellers in the same aquarium.

Lifespan

If cared for correctly the average lifespan of the Keyhole cichlid is expected to be at least 7 years but some specimens may reach an older age.

General care

The minimum sized aquarium that should be used will need to be at least 3 feet in length (90 cm) and one foot wide (30 cm) and use a reliable filtration system to keep the water quality high. Decoration in the aquarium is purely a matter of personal choice but it is best to add some hiding places to make the fish feel secure,, plants can be added and use gravel that has no sharp edges for the substrate.The Keyhole cichlid needs to be added to a fully cycled set up and you will need to perform regular water changes to keep the quality high. The water temperature should range between 24-27°C (76-81°F) and the pH should be between 6.8-8.0. If breeding these fish you may wish to set the pH at a more acidic level. Keep the water flow at a medium pace by careful positioning of the outlet nozzles from the filters.They can be housed with many species of fish but make sure that they are of a similar size and require the same water parameters.

Feeding

The Keyhole cichlid are classed as omnivorous and very easy to feed in the aquarium once they have settled in. For the staple diet use a quality flake food or cichlid pellets but their diet will need to be varied with treats of live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp or blood worms. They will also accept blanched peas or chopped zucchini for extra vegetable matter.

Sexing

Mature males grow much larger than mature females and they will also develop extended finnage.

Breeding

To obtain a pair it is best to purchase a small group of juveniles and allow them to pair naturally as they mature. Use an air driven sponge filter for filtration and reduce the lighting levels to make the parent fish feel more comfortable. Add flat rocks or suchlike to provide spawning sites and keep the water quality pristine on the breeding tank. They should spawn without ant intervention from the keeper but new parents may eat the first few batches of eggs. In time they will learn to become good parents and both parent fish will tend for the fry. Once fertilised the eggs should hatch after 24-48 hours dependant on the water temperature and once free swimming the fry can be fed on newly hatched brine shrimp or infusoria. They will also be able to eat powdered flake and in time will soon accept the same diet as the parent fish.

Additional information

Thanks to Jeff Catalina for allowing us to use the pictures.

Keyhole cichlid Keyhole cichlid

Did you know?

Please, verify whether your login and password are valid. If you don't have an account here, register one free of charge, please. Click here to close this box.

You have been logged out successfully! This box will close automatically!

Something went wrong during processing your message, please try again!

Your message has been sent, thanks a lot!

Page has been saved, refresh it now, please!

The page has been created, you will now be redirected!

URL already exists!

Path to the photo is not unique!

Really delete this page from the database?

The page has been removed successfully, you will be redirected now!

The page couldn't be deleted!!

Unfortunately this page doesn't allow discussion. Please, find any other page that fits your area of interest as over 99% of our pages allow discussion. The reason why no discussion is allowed here is this page is too general. Thanks a lot for understanding! Click here to search, please!

Really delete this comment from the site?

Really delete this image from the site?

Really delete this image from the site?

Selected comment has been removed successfully!

Selected image has been removed successfully!

Either login or email address is required

Account has been recovered, please check your email for further instructions