Keyhole Cichlid aggression
- Thread starter Ravynn
- Start date
The thing about peaceful cichlids is that they’re usually peaceful with other species, but not within with own. A lot of profiles online and in print don’t take into account the conspecific aggression of cichlids. They often have pecking orders within their groups, which is why more of a species is usually better (though in some cases that’s not feasible due to fish size vs. tank size).
I always grow out cichlids, even peaceful ones, in groups of at least six but preferably more. I’ve done the same with keyholes, but they were in a 4’ 55 gallon until they were 3.5” or so and then were moved to a 6’ 150 gallon community. They squabbled and nipped at one another occasionally but there was plenty of room for them to get away from each other or steer clear of the others.
My guess is if you had them in a larger tank they could spawn without having to badger the unpaired fish, but even a tiny pair of cichlids will take over a 40 gallon when they’re ready to spawn. My vote would be to rehome the others because it probably won’t settle down if the fish spawn frequently.
I always grow out cichlids, even peaceful ones, in groups of at least six but preferably more. I’ve done the same with keyholes, but they were in a 4’ 55 gallon until they were 3.5” or so and then were moved to a 6’ 150 gallon community. They squabbled and nipped at one another occasionally but there was plenty of room for them to get away from each other or steer clear of the others.
My guess is if you had them in a larger tank they could spawn without having to badger the unpaired fish, but even a tiny pair of cichlids will take over a 40 gallon when they’re ready to spawn. My vote would be to rehome the others because it probably won’t settle down if the fish spawn frequently.
Totally agree. An example - I have 2 jurupari. Most would suggest 5-6 in a large tank. But I have 2 because the tank can't take more fish. So one picks on the other and outgrows the other. So I'm gonna split them up. If I was smarter (back then) I would have bought one.
All day today both of them have been doing shimmying at eachother and staying near a large smooth river rock I purposely put in a corner in case this happened, so they're definitely trying to lay eggs today. Must be because of the move to the bigger tank.
I don't have a problem with needing to move the other 2 out.. I just hope this pair tolerates other tank mates because this tank was intended as a community tank with other species. I don't want to waste a 40g for just 2 of them.. it's the last tank i'll be getting. They still haven't bothered the bristlenose pleco in there but he's tiny. The unpaired 2 have been trying their hardest to hide all day. I hate watching it.
Ha! Here we go.
When I bred them (long long time ago) I let them take care of the fry a while and then transferred the fry to another tank. Because I had that oscar and a pleco in the tank. As I recall they would move the fry with their mouths after they hatch to keep them together and protected.
I also think one fans the eggs (it's been a long time) to keep them clean and oxygenated.
I agree with everything ryansmith83 said, intra species aggression is always about tank size (or the lack thereof)
even peaceful cichlids (like key holes) or dwarf cichlids have there own perceived limits when it comes to overcrowding, and those are at odds, and often don't go along with the aquarist perception of what's enough room.
To me, it is almost always needed to have a "minimum" 6ft tank for more than one pair of even the most peaceful, and smallest spawning pair of cichlids.
I have had people tell me when they tried to keep Andinoacara coeruleopunctatus in a tank (55, 75, or smaller) where the alpha killed all others.
I have a dozen of the Panamanian 3-5" G.T.s in a 180gal, and aggression is limited to mostly bluff, even by the alpha, and stayed that way when he and the female spawned (although all others stayed in the other half of the 6 ft tank).
and I have no delusions that at a point in the near future, this tank will become too small for the number of cichlids as they reach full size, so at least half will be removed to other quarters.
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even peaceful cichlids (like key holes) or dwarf cichlids have there own perceived limits when it comes to overcrowding, and those are at odds, and often don't go along with the aquarist perception of what's enough room.
To me, it is almost always needed to have a "minimum" 6ft tank for more than one pair of even the most peaceful, and smallest spawning pair of cichlids.
I have had people tell me when they tried to keep Andinoacara coeruleopunctatus in a tank (55, 75, or smaller) where the alpha killed all others.
I have a dozen of the Panamanian 3-5" G.T.s in a 180gal, and aggression is limited to mostly bluff, even by the alpha, and stayed that way when he and the female spawned (although all others stayed in the other half of the 6 ft tank).
and I have no delusions that at a point in the near future, this tank will become too small for the number of cichlids as they reach full size, so at least half will be removed to other quarters.
.I'll be attempting to move the unpaired ones today and the pair will be alone for a little bit in this tank (except for the bristlenose) while I find someone to take the others, get tetras as dithers (still can't decide what the best species would be for the keyholes) then qt them so it'll be interesting to see if any survive. The male has not left the rock since yesterday evening and the female is out exploring the tank.
I can tell now after having these Keyholes that one full grown pair will fit nicely into this 40 breeder. I went off experiences of others with Keyhole groups but like you said, it varies between fish. Your cichlids are very nice looking fish!
Throw a blanket over the tank for a couple hours to completely black it out, then take it off and immediately net them while they’re still asleep. Or do it at night after leaving the room completely dark for an hour. They’re sitting ducks.