Keyhole Cichlid (Cleithracara maronii)

Keyhole Cichlid (Cleithracara maronii) is a calm South American cichlid with a distinctive dark flank mark and a much gentler personality than many larger cichlids. It suits aquarists who want cichlid behaviour in a planted community aquarium without choosing a highly territorial species.

This listing is currently out of stock, so the page is written as a care profile and comparison guide while supplier availability changes. The species is worth keeping on a shortlist if you have a mature aquarium, steady water quality and peaceful tank mates.

Quick Facts

Taxonomy And Name Notes

The accepted name used here is Cleithracara maronii. Older aquarium lists may still show this fish under Aequidens maronii, and supplier data can shorten that spelling. Keeping both names in the care data helps customers match old labels to the same peaceful keyhole cichlid without stuffing the page with unrelated cichlid keywords.

Tank Setup

Keyhole Cichlids are most confident in aquariums with visual cover. Use driftwood, shaded planting, leaf litter, smooth stones and open swimming space rather than a bare tank. A fine sand or smooth gravel base works well because the fish often inspect the lower and middle levels while feeding.

A 120 litre aquarium is a sensible minimum for a pair. If you want a small group of juveniles to settle and choose their own partners, use a larger footprint and provide several separate shelters. Calm filtration is important, but avoid blasting the tank with strong current.

Water And Care

A stable range of 22-27 C and pH 6.0-7.5 suits the species well. Soft to moderate hardness is usually best, but consistency matters more than chasing exact numbers. Regular water changes, mature biological filtration and low stress are the main care priorities.

Keyholes can be shy during the first weeks. That is normal for this species. Give them cover, avoid bright exposed layouts, and choose tank mates that do not rush every feed. Once settled, they usually become more visible and show the classic keyhole side marking clearly.

Feeding

Feed a varied omnivore diet. Good small cichlid pellets or granules can be the staple, supported by frozen bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, mysis and finely chopped meaty foods. They also graze small particles from surfaces, so avoid over-cleaning every natural surface in the aquarium.

Offer modest portions and watch that faster fish do not take everything first. A quiet feeding area near cover helps shy individuals feed confidently without turning the whole aquarium into a race.

Tank Mates

Good companions include peaceful tetras, pencilfish, hatchetfish, calm Corydoras in suitable setups, small plecos and other gentle South American community fish. Avoid aggressive cichlids, fin nippers, boisterous hardwater fish, and very small fry or shrimp that could be treated as food.

If this species is unavailable, compare the South American cichlids category and the South American dwarf cichlids category. Similar routes to consider include Blue Acara, Electric Blue Acara, Electric Blue Ram and Apistogramma Dwarf Cichlids.

Breeding Behaviour

Mature pairs may clean a flat stone, broad leaf or cave surface before spawning. They can defend a small territory when breeding, but they are usually far less forceful than many medium cichlids. If you want to raise fry, use gentle filtration, stable water and a quiet layout with clear boundaries.

Is This The Right Cichlid?

Choose Keyhole Cichlids for a peaceful planted aquarium where subtle behaviour matters more than bright colour. They are not the right choice for aggressive cichlid mixes, cramped tanks or noisy communities. In the right setup, they are one of the most civilised cichlids for a South American-style display.