Keyhole cichlids

[SKAPSYCHO]

Hello,
I haven't had much luck finding information on keyhole chiclids online and was wondering if anyone at AC had experience with them. I have a 30 gallon long tank with some blackskirt tetras, a SA bumblebee cat, a few ottos, and several marbled hatchetfish. Would I be able to keep a pair of keyholes in this set-up? How aggressive are they when breeding? I'd like to have them in a community tank but also want to experience their spawning behavior. I could easily find homes for any durviving fry, so I'm not too concerned about that (especially with my glutonous catfish and tatras swimming around).
Thanks,
~Skap

 

[mooman]

I've been keeping a group of keyholes for about a month now. They are still small (1 1/2in), but I am really surprised at how nonaggresive they are (especially when compared to the apistogrammas I normally keep). I'm sure they get territorial when spawning, but in your size tank, I would think the other fish would have plenty of room to get away. I would suggest getting at least four since these guys are very difficult to sex at the size offered by most LFS. Get the two smallest and the two largest and you should end up with at least one pair. They are not picky at all about food and will even come to the top for flake. Just like any dwarf cichlid they are intolerant of poor water quality, so frequent WCs are the rule.

What these guys lack in color they make up for in personality. They're body shape is kinda different as well, and they get fairly large (4-5in) without the aggression you would see form other cichlids that size. I would reccomend them.

 

[Star_Rider]

I ditto what mooman says.

I have been keeping Keyholes for a couple months now.

they are considered hardy cichlids..non-agressive very mild mannered..of the cichlids I keep they are the least aggressive ones.

they don't chase anything in the tank..but prefer to 'just get along'.

they are timid and will change color pretty quick when they feel threatened.

they love caves so make sure you have plenty of them..

My tank has castles in it..the keyholes use the openings in the castle..and hid in the caves..but generally when I am out and about ..they are also.

they are cute lil buggers too.

I suspect as with any cichlid..if they spawn thye will protect their territory.

 

[SKAPSYCHO]

Thanks for the quick replies!
~Skap