how many keyhole cichlids?

caseopia

caseopia

AC Members
Sep 16, 2004
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Southwest Florida
i'm thinking of stocking my 38 gallon tank with keyhole cichlids and panda cories. how many keyholes should I keep together in a tank this size? I've read "groups", but also "pairs".
 
Keyholes are really cool, i'm sure that you will like them. :)

Keyholes prefer their own company, and prefer to have AT LEAST one more Keyhole with them. If you can though, then I would reccommend getting a group of say..... 4 or 6.

But I am not sure of the dimensions of your aquarium, if I did then that would help me and others to determine how many you can have in your aquarium.

Good Luck :)
 
Ok, then I think you could probably get away with 4 or 6.

do male:female ratios matter?[\quote]

Good question.

In My Experience it doesn't.... I mean you may see males squabble with eachother from time to time, but I don't think it's from a lack of females.

If you are getting your keyholes young, it's VERY tough to sex them.

When they are fully grown it's easier (the males are a bit bigger, and they have longer dorsal and anal fins). Whereas the females tend to be slightly smaller, and don't have longer fins.

Personally though, I would get a young batch/group, just so that they can get used to their surroundings alot better, and pairs can form naturally (again this is all from experience).

Hope this helps! :thm:
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caseopia said:
Thanks blueturq! You have been very helpful! I'm starting to get really excited about these fish :)
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Not a problem, glad I could help. :)

In case you are wondering about their diet, keyholes will eat practicaly ANYTHING! :)
 
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everything i've read says that keyhole cichlids are safe for a community tank, so i would assume the corys would be safe. Any one else have any thoughts?
 
My only thought is that 6 might be too many once they are full grown. I've never kept them, but have heard that like any cichlids they get aggresive when breeding. Might want to keep only one adult male in you tank, but like I said, I have never kept them.

Good Luck
 
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