Cichlidae
Cleithracara
12.00 cm
Males max out at around 5". Females stop at around 3".
Semi-aggressive
Will quarrel with conspecifics, peaceful with other fish.
Insectivore
114.00 L
75.00 cm x 30.00 cm
22.0 C - 27.0 C
pH of 5.5-8.0
Bottom
A generally peaceful, small, substrate spawning cichlid. Will try to camouflage when stressed by changing their colors to a more mottled brown and laying flat on their sides. Only shows the namesake "key hole" when stressed or spawning. Has not been imported in decades, so all individuals in captivity right now are captive bred, and highly inbred. Normally they only have one dot under their dorsal fin (making the "hole" in which the post of a key would go), though some individuals may have two. Prefers to be in groups of at least 5. Stressed by large/fast moving fish or temperatures that are too low.
Egg-layer (Parental Care)
Typical substrate spawner, typical parental roles (male guards female and female tends to fry but may swap so the female can eat), however they prefer to lay their eggs on flat surfaces, such as rocks, leaves, or wood.
200 fry
Warmer temperatures and conditioning with high protein/live foods.
Fry grow at a moderate rate and will eat most foods offered. Fry do not seem particularly sensitive or picky.