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Keyhole Cichlid

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Cleithracara maronii

Complete Keyhole Cichlid care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 30 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Easy.

Keyhole Cichlid

Quick Answer

Keyhole Cichlid (Cleithracara maronii) is a shy, gentle cichlid from South America. It requires a minimum 30 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.0 - 7.5 and temperature range of 22-26°C. This omnivore occupies the bottom/middle zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Keyhole Cichlid (Cleithracara maronii) is a shy, gentle cichlid from South America. Its body has a distinctive dark blotch that resembles a keyhole, and it is one of the few cichlids suitable for peaceful community tanks.

Setup

A 30-gallon or larger tank with plenty of hiding spots (driftwood, caves, dense plants). Soft substrate and dim lighting. They appreciate calm water and tankmates.

Feeding

Omnivorous; accepts flakes, pellets, frozen foods, and live foods. Feed a varied diet for best health.

Compatibility

Very peaceful. Can be kept with most community fish of similar size. Avoid aggressive or boisterous fish. Good with tetras, rasboras, Corydoras, and angelfish.

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Tank Position
Bottom/Middle
Water Temp
22-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.0 - 7.5

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Red Eyed Tetra Care Guide: Schooling & Tank Size semanticSimilarity Apistogramma Care Guide: Temperament & Diet semanticSimilarity Banded Corydoras Care Guide: Substrate & Diet semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Keyhole Cichlids should be kept together?
Maintain as a single individual or a confirmed male-female pair in a tank of at least 40 gallons (150 liters) with a footprint of 36x15 inches (90x38 cm). Keyhole cichlids (Cleithracara maronii) are exceptionally peaceful and shy; multiple males can coexist in larger tanks (75+ gallons) but provide at least 4 cave hideaways. A bonded pair requires 40 gallons minimum. Provide dense planting (Amazon swords, Anubias), driftwood, and clay pots. Avoid aggressive tank mates (convicts, firemouths) that will outcompete them. Keep with peaceful community fish (tetras, corydoras).
What are the exact water parameters for Keyhole Cichlids?
Target pH 6.0 - 7.5, General Hardness 3 - 10 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 2 - 8 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 80 - 250 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 160 - 500 μS/cm, and temperature 76°F - 82°F (24°C - 28°C). They prefer clean, stable water with low nitrates (<15 ppm). Maintain weekly 25% water changes. Use a canister filter with gentle flow (5-6x turnover). Provide sand or fine gravel substrate, as they sift for food. Add driftwood and caves. Avoid strong currents and sudden pH shifts >0.3.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Keyhole Cichlids?
They are omnivores requiring 40% protein, 10% fat, 50% plant matter. Feed high-quality cichlid flakes, sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia twice daily. Offer blanched zucchini and spirulina wafers weekly. They accept live blackworms eagerly. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.15 mg/L) but sensitive to formalin. Praziquantel is safe. Salt baths up to 5 ppt for 10 minutes treat external parasites. Quarantine with metronidazole (5 mg/L) for 7 days. They are hardy but susceptible to ich if stressed.
How to breed Keyhole Cichlids with environmental triggers?
Condition a bonded pair with live blackworms and bloodworms for 2 weeks. Raise temperature to 80°F (27°C) and perform 30% water change with slightly cooler (75°F/24°C) soft water (dGH 4). Provide a flat stone or slate tile tilted at 30 degrees. The pair cleans the site; female lays 200-400 eggs. Both parents guard and fan eggs. Eggs hatch in 60-72 hours at 78°F (25.5°C). Wrigglers become free-swimming in 5-7 days. Feed crushed flakes, baby brine shrimp, and microworms. Parents are excellent caregivers; leave them with fry. Weekly 20% water changes are critical.

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