Family: Cichlidae
Distribution: Cleithracara maronii, better known as the Keyhole Cichlid, is a freshwater, creek-dwelling species distributed in the clear waters of Trinidad, the Orinoco River basin, and rivers from Guyana’s Barima River to French Guiana’s Ouanary River.
PH: 6.0 – 8.0
Temperature: 22°C – 25°C (72 – 77F)
Hardness: 3 – 20 dH
Description: Cleithracara maronii can reach up to 15 cm in nature, but males will usually reach around 8 cm in length; females will be slightly smaller. This cichlid has a unique oval shaped, short body and a round forehead. This species’ body is a golden-brown colour, smattered with the occasional faint line. It has a distinctive dark patch on its mid-section – resembling a keyhole – and fins that range in colour from golden-brown to a dark green-blue.
Diet: Cleithracara maronii cichlids have a distinct preference for live foods. You can give your Keyhole Cichlid a varied diet of insects, crustaceans, flake, fish pellets, and insect larvae. When healthy, this species will display an intense colouration, so keep it vital by feeding it a varied diet.
Breeding: The female will lay 300 eggs on a stone, and both parents will tend the eggs. It is not uncommon for the pair to devour the eggs, so if this continues to happen you should remove the eggs – or the pair – from the tank. The fry will hatch after 3 – 5 days and can be feed nauplii immediately. This is one of the easiest species to breed; they can even be bred in a community tank.
Comments: Cleithracara maronii should be housed in a large tank – at least 90 cm in length – and given plenty of hiding spots in the form of rocks and caves. Provide plants, driftwood, plenty of open swimming space and a fine, sandy substrate for this species to thrive. It is not a difficult species to keep and is definitely suitable for newcomers to the hobby.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species: The Keyhole Cichlid is, as far as cichlids go, a very peaceful, non-aggressive species. They will live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, Corydoras Catfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platy and most Gourami (such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danio and Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish make great tank mates.
Originally posted 2010-01-05 20:57:19. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Comments on this entry are closed.