Keyhole Cichlids (Cleithracara maronii)

[brewmaster15]

This are really cool little cichlids . They only get about 4 inches and are usually not a problem with plants. They are considered gentle peaceful cichlids. They arent suitable for a discus tank as they prefer cooler water, though I did manage to keep some in low 80s and they seemed ok..its probably not good for them.

I picked up a group of 8 from Tristan's Tropicals yesterday. They are housed in a 40 gal breeder as a grow out.. they are small but already very personable little guys. They tend to be shy but in a group of 8 they feel comfortable.

I've missed having a variety of fish here and have been enjoying revisiting old favorites.


20231206_082147.jpg

20231206_082134.jpg

20231206_082120.jpg

20231205_072845.jpg

[Discus Fever]

Very nice Al, looking forward to seeing how they look when they are adults. Al you are killing me with keeping other types of fish, now I am really thinking about purchasing Altum Angels for another tank I have.

[Adamski77]

Al… another nice purchase. I have just one question as I continue to read your posts… how many tanks you have?

[brewmaster15]

Al… another nice purchase. I have just one question as I continue to read your posts… how many tanks you have?

Thats a loaded question... alot more than I should...far less than I have had...and not enough for what I want.
1 @ 180g
2@ 125g
5@ 75g
5@ 55g
3@40G
10@29g
3@ 20 g
6@ 10g


roughly 1300 gals. I honestly have downsized alot.

[fljones3]

I love keyhole cichlids. Several decades ago, I kept them.
When I saw your post, I had warm recollections.

[brewmaster15]

I love keyhole cichlids. Several decades ago, I kept them.
When I saw your post, I had warm recollections.

They are great little cichlids Frank. Warm recollections are a very good thing!
Al

[Second Hand Pat]

Alright Al, you have me considering some of these guys
Pat

[Adamski77]

Thats a loaded question... alot more than I should...far less than I have had...and not enough for what I want.
1 @ 180g
2@ 125g
5@ 75g
5@ 55g
3@40G
10@29g
3@ 20 g
6@ 10g


roughly 1300 gals. I honestly have downsized alot.

wow wow wow... very aspirational... maybe when I retire

[brewmaster15]

I used to host alot of visitors here. I was a real bad influence on many much to their spouses irritation. Several times I have been quoted "al says furniture is over rated...we should ditch the couch and get another tank".

You can never have all the tanks you want...but its fun to try.

[fljones3]

Al, I was reading off the list of your tanks to my wife. She began to sing the list of your tanks to the Twelve days of Christmas song.

[brewmaster15]

Al, I was reading off the list of your tanks to my wife. She began to sing the list of your tanks to the Twelve days of Christmas song.

Ive been wanting a partridge in a pair tree.. but have settled for chickens .

[bluelagoon]

I had those not long ago. The last one died of old age this last spring. I did keep them with discus in a 125 gal. tank, temp around 83f. They are one of many of my favorite SA cichlids.

[brewmaster15]

I had those not long ago. The last one died of old age this last spring. I did keep them with discus in a 125 gal. tank, temp around 83f. They are one of many of my favorite SA cichlids.

Thats good to know Mervin.. I had done the same.. Everything written about them says cooler ranges. Glad your experience mirrors mine.. At some point I will try it again with some of these guys.

[bluelagoon]

I had 6 in the beginning. I also found the ones I had were quite aggressive towards each other after breeding age and that's how I lost the first two.

[jimmyjoe]

Thats a loaded question... alot more than I should...far less than I have had...and not enough for what I want.
1 @ 180g
2@ 125g
5@ 75g
5@ 55g
3@40G
10@29g
3@ 20 g
6@ 10g


roughly 1300 gals. I honestly have downsized alot.

Al, how many tanks have you had going at one time. I bet you had to set aside a good part of your time and family for maintenance???? Jim in Ohio