Keyhole Cichlid

The keyhole cichlid takes its name from the black blotch in the upper middle of its body: in adults the blotch takes the shape of a keyhole, round at the top and narrowing toward the bottom. With its cream to light brown body and a dark band running through the eye, it is a plain but elegant fish. It can quickly darken and lighten its color when frightened or depending on its mood.

It is one of the most docile American cichlids. It does not uproot plants, does not dig deeply in the substrate and leaves fish that are not smaller than itself alone. Because of its shy nature, it looks its best in a calm, planted aquarium.

It lives in the coastal rivers of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana and in the Orinoco delta, in slow-flowing water that is often stained brown by tannins. It prefers areas near the bank with abundant vegetation, where leaves and roots accumulate.

• Volume: At least 100 liters and 80 cm of length for a pair.
• Decor: Plenty of plants, roots, leaves and a few caves. Dim light and floating plants reduce shyness.
• Water: Soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic water is ideal; farm-bred fish adapt to a wider range of values. A 25% water change every week.
• Companions: Very active, boisterous fish drive it into hiding.

Omnivorous. Use small cichlid granules and flakes as the staple; vary the diet with frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia and mosquito larvae. Because it is shy, make sure the food reaches it too.

Peaceful and timid. Even during breeding its defense is moderate; most of the time it only drives away fish near the eggs.

Good companions: Medium-sized tetras (Congo tetra, rummy-nose tetra), corydoras, otocinclus, Ancistrus, dwarf gouramis, angelfish.

Avoid: Aggressive and large cichlids, fin-nipping barbs, very small shrimp and their young.

Kept as a pair. If several juveniles are raised together, a pair forms naturally. In a tank of 150 liters or more, a small group of 4–6 also lives without problems.

The pair usually lays its eggs on a movable leaf or a flat stone; 100–300 eggs can be seen. The parents have been observed moving the leaf with the eggs to another spot when they sense danger. The fry become free-swimming within a few days and are fed brine shrimp nauplii. The parents remain attentive for a long time.

Hardy. Fin rot and white spot can occur in dirty water. Stressed fish stay dark-colored and refuse food; this is usually related to the choice of tankmates or very bright light.

Difficult to tell from the outside. Males are usually slightly larger, and the tips of their dorsal and anal fins are longer and more pointed. A reliable distinction is made by the papilla during spawning.