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If anyone has any info on keyholes I would be most grateful. I mostly need to know if they get on with my other fish and whether they tend to be nippy or aggressive and if they will be ok with corys? My other fish are 1 pleco 3 blue rainbow fish 3 red tail banded rainbow 6 congo tetra 1 pearl gourami 1 gold gourami and 1 silver gourami and to finish the stock I was going to get some corys and 2 keyholes but I need some more info on the keyholes before I get them as I have just made a big mistake by getting 2 Kribensis they were very aggressive and nipping every fish in the tank so they have now gone to a friend with a six foot tank so you see i don't want to make the same mistake again with the keyholes if they are at all like the Kribensis.

http://www.greenspersonalprinting.com/

I'm surprised you had problems with your kribs (unless they were a mating pair that had spawned. They are usually peaceful, even for a cichlid.
You didn't mention the size of your tank but assuming you had problems with the kribs (with size being around 8-10), I'd suggest you pass on the keyholes as these are generally very peaceful but will reach 15cm. Inevitably you will experience the same/similar problems you encountered with the kribs, and if the keyholes breed.... increased problems yet again. Sorry

Oh sorry the tank size is 120cm x 40cm x 40cm holding
192 Litres
42.24 UK Gallons
50.73 US Gallons

http://www.greenspersonalprinting.com/

Keyholes don't reach 15 cm, at most, they would reach 4 inches, but I have heard recently they haven't even been reaching that length.

IME, I have never had a problem with keyhole agression. They have never nipped or chased. I don't think you should pass on keeping this fish. Just make sure that your other fish are peaceful. They will even breed in the community tank. I wouldn't worry about breeding agression. I recommend you get these beautiful fish!

solublefish - my keyholes are close to 5" at the minute and still growing. Documentation suggests 6".... can only offer advice.

Honestly that is the only time I have heard of that length. In the wild, they can grow six inches. In captivity, they are smaller. You measured without the tail, right?

[span class="edited"][Edited by SolubleFish 2004-07-25 16:37][/span]

I'm planning on getting a pair and FP.com says they only get to be about 3inchs?!

http://www.fishprofiles.com/profiles/fw/profile.asp?id=Cleithracara+maronii

[span class="edited"][Edited by sly 2004-07-26 07:45][/span]

My keyholes are sweet little fishies. Never bother anyone, they spend their days picking around on the plants and the bottom. Mine have grown fast but I got them when they were tiny, they are about 2 inches now. I wish I had room for more of them.

MMMMMMMMMMMM that sounds promising songbird1963. I also see you have Gouramies with them. I wonder if they get along with rainbow fish and congo tetras as well as Gouramies?

http://www.greenspersonalprinting.com/

IMO Keyholes are the direct opposite of the Kribs, and get along with everything. They can be shy, so provide hiding places. Even if they spawn, and protect their eggs, they will not get very fiesty. Don't count on getting fry in a community tank, as other fish will probably be able to get to the eggs (unlike the kribs).

That sounds even more promising joe fishy. I think I might just take the plunge and try a couple of these fellows. I can't be as unlucky as I was with the kirbs again I am sure or can I?

http://www.greenspersonalprinting.com/

Well I have took the plunge and brought 2 keyholes today. They both seem to be very peaceful at the moment and seem very happy with their surroundings. The Gouramies think they are highly amusing as they keep going up to them and feeling at them with their feelers. The congos are just hiding at the mo with the odd one coming out to check its safe and the rainbow don't give a toss. I will let you know how they get on as they have only been in the tank a couple of hours so far. Oh and how do I sex them? can someone please let me know thanks?

http://www.greenspersonalprinting.com/

Congrats on your new fishies! It can be tough to figure out male from female, especially if they're young. As they mature, the male will grow larger, and have longer fin extensions. Some people have gotten a small group, and once they know they have a pair, move out the remaining fish. Good luck with them!

Well I am so glad i took the plunge with these fellows. They are just great. I love them. They are so peaceful just wondering about minding their own buisness. :88) Thanks guys for all your help on these fellows.


http://www.greenspersonalprinting.com/

Honestly that is the only time I have heard of that length. In the wild, they can grow six inches. In captivity, they are smaller. You measured without the tail, right?

Solublefish, I, too, have witnessed keyholes in captivity that are 5" (not including the tail). I don't think it's that uncommon. Given enough time, most fish will grow past their expected size.