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.


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[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".:evilgrin:

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. :guitarist:

[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. :guitarist:

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

[brewmaster15]

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

Jim all of those are currently running. Maintenance isnt really a problem as I am a very early riser here..3:30-4 am I am up.. I am one of the nutjobs that only sleeps about 4 hrs a night..though Catnaps may occur here and there.
All the tanks have different maintenance needs. Some like discus are more intensive than others like axolotls.



I find the number I am keeping now to be manageable but this is coming from a guy who at the peak of his aquarium insanity had 8000 gals of water in his basement.. the entire basement was tanks. That was a crazy time I do recommend if anyone finds themselves heading in that direction to see a head Dr. :)

[bonghapster]

I remember a summer basement tour along time ago. Waterchange flowing into his vegetable garden. lol. My wife did love those wild crosses you had.

Hap

[brewmaster15]

I remember a summer basement tour along time ago. Waterchange flowing into his vegetable garden. lol. My wife did love those wild crosses you had.

Hap
That was a while ago! Oddly I have come full circle and my fish keeping looks more like it did back then.


And tell your wife Hap I am still crossing to wilds.

https://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?139810-My-first-fry-tank-in-a-Long-time

Same cross revisited.:)

[brewmaster15]

A few updates on my keyholes..

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All are doing well.

Al

[Willie]

... but this is coming from a guy who at the peak of his aquarium insanity had 8000 gals of water in his basement.. the entire basement was tanks. That was a crazy time I do recommend if anyone finds themselves heading in that direction to see a head Dr. :)

We need these people in the hobby, Brew. All my big tanks come from garage sales when they eventually burn and crash. :p

[brewmaster15]

We need these people in the hobby, Brew. All my big tanks come from garage sales when they eventually burn and crash. :p

Lmao ! So true! When I think of it.. thats how I got most of my tanks.:)