New stocking for my tank

[Ancistrus Fan]

My tank currently has:
• 1 Bristlenose pleco
• 1 keyhole cichlid
• 5 sterbai corys
•7 long finned leopard danios
•6 yellow rainbowfish
• an electric blue acara
• a Bolivian ram
My problem is the cichlids mainly the acara, he is attacking the rainbowfish(new additions) the Bolivian ram and the keyhole, the ram stickes up for himself and fight the acara but the keyhole doesn’t. So I feel I have to rehome the acara but I’m not sure whether to rehome the ram as well. I think I want to get a group of keyholes instead, how many should I get? If they breed I won’t have another tank to put the fry in so no fry would make it so that’s another consideration. As well my favourite fish is my Bristlenose pleco and would hate for something to be aggressive to it, so will the attack him or other fish if they breed? I guess I need a bit more information before the outcome of the recent problems. The acara is boss then the ram and the keyhole.

 

[Sinister-Kisses]

Tank size and dimensions?

 

[danotaylor]

What size is the tank?
If your goal is keyholes, which do well in social groups, then I think you answered your own question. Remove the acara and ram, add another ?? keyholes once we know how big the tank is

 

[Ancistrus Fan]

48 gallons(1m,40cm,45cm). It’s whether to rehome the Bolivian ram or not as they got on well together. Also, it’s whether keyholes are agressive when breeding and how many I should get.

 

[RyanScanner]

Hmmm

 

[danotaylor]

48 gallons(1m,40cm,45cm). It’s whether to rehome the Bolivian ram or not as they got on well together. Also, it’s whether keyholes are agressive when breeding and how many I should get.

If the ram and keyhole get along why not just move the acara out and leave it at that?
Even tho keyholes are “peaceful” cichlids, they’re still cichlids, so when breeding in a small glass cage there’s prolly gonna be issues, especially when the ram tries to poach their fry.
If your goal is to keep the peace and minimize any carnage, that’s prolly your best option in a 48gal.

 

[Ancistrus Fan]

If the ram and keyhole get along why not just move the acara out and leave it at that?
Even tho keyholes are “peaceful” cichlids, they’re still cichlids, so when breeding in a small glass cage there’s prolly gonna be issues, especially when the ram tries to poach their fry.
If your goal is to keep the peace and minimize any carnage, that’s prolly your best option in a 48gal.

It’s because I’ve heard that keyholes need to be kept in pairs or groups as they are social so wondered whether the one I have right now will be happy by himself. I like the idea of multiple keyholes as they will be the star of the tank after the bristlenose it’s just if the keyholes breed what to do as it’s my only tank, also won’t the pleco eat the fry? And would keeping a small group(4?) work?

 

[HUKIT]

I would ditch the pulcher, altispinosus, and the danios and add another maronii. The sex is your choice to whether you’re looking to breed as even when spawning they’re pretty gentile.

 

[Ancistrus Fan]

I would ditch the pulcher, altispinosus, and the danios and add another maronii. The sex is your choice to whether you’re looking to breed as even when spawning they’re pretty gentile.

Why rehome the danios( I don’t mind that they aren’t from the same biotope)?And could I only get one keyhole or is a group possible?

 

[HUKIT]

Why rehome the danios( I don’t mind that they aren’t from the same biotope)?And could I only get one keyhole or is a group possible?

You’ve already got a school of fish that are capable of reaching over 3 inches. With regards to the maronii they’re easily capable of 5 plus inches so I’d personally call it stocked with two. If you bump up the tank to a larger footprint such as 75/90g then yes I’d do more. I’m not a purist when it comes to biotope but I do stick to the same continent.