Do Keyholes Need Friends?

[snowflake311]

I have one male keyhole that can be a bully. He use to have a friend another male but they both got sick and my bigger one "carl" healed up quickly and started picking on the sick one. I lost the sick one but carl is doing awesome. I have had bad luck I always end up with 2 male fish.

Anyways I was reading keyholes need friends. Is this true? Should I ask my LF store to order me some? Or since mine is 4" and not a push over would he be better on his own? I would love to get a female. But like other cichlids they like to pick their own mates.

Should I just let him run the tank or should I try to get him a friend? Should the friend be another keyhole or a rainbow cichlid.

36gal

5 red tail rasaboras
1 clown pleco
1 bristle nose
And Carl the keyhole.

 

[likescichlids]

I had a keyhole with other south american cichlids and was fine. If it were me I would get a ram or a another small cichlid but that just me.

 

[jmkgreen]

My keyhole is occasionally bulled by a bolivian ram who's no-where near his size.

 

[snowflake311]

I want to get a rainbow cichlid they are almost the same size as keyholes and are peaceful. From what I have been reading they sound awesome. Maybe one rainbow a ram would be good to put with my keyhole.

 

[likescichlids]

I want to get a rainbow cichlid they are almost the same size as keyholes and are peaceful. From what I have been reading they sound awesome. Maybe one rainbow a ram would be good to put with my keyhole.

I have had a rainbow cichlid and he was bullyed by my other cichlid.

 

[snowflake311]

So what Did you think of your rainbow cichlid? I Keep getting mix things about the size of these fish some say 3" others say 6" so what is it??? I'm thinking they get to be 4".

 

[likescichlids]

So what Did you think of your rainbow cichlid? I Keep getting mix things about the size of these fish some say 3" others say 6" so what is it??? I'm thinking they get to be 4".

rainbow are peaceful and they get up to 5" and I loved mine.

 

[fishnoob88]

The thread name makes me laugh lol

 

[snowflake311]

The thread name makes me laugh lol

Yeah it does sound funny. Glad I could make you laugh.

 

[beechey]

i fort keyholes ment to be kept 3+

 

[snowflake311]

I never read that. I everything I saw said pairs are best. But I'm going to order him a friend this week.

 

[snowflake311]

I can't seem to find another keyhole. My favorite shop said they would try and get it but keyholes are not always avalible. The shop I got mine from could order me some But I don't what to buy from that store. The fish are kept in poor condition oscars with hole in head starved redtail catfish. I have mixed feelings about that place.

So I brought a bolivian ram. She is in the holding tank for a week. We will see how that goes. I'm thinking of ordering fish online for my 55 gal.

 

[barrycuda]

i have an adult breeding pair of keyholes. very timid for the first 6 months when i got them, but now very tame. i have 4 green severums with them and they get along fine, they also got along fine with a big red tail shark. but i had to get rid of the shark as he attacked the smaller severums.

 

[snowflake311]

i have an adult breeding pair of keyholes. very timid for the first 6 months when i got them, but now very tame. i have 4 green severums with them and they get along fine, they also got along fine with a big red tail shark. but i had to get rid of the shark as he attacked the smaller severums.

My little guy was never shy. When he sees me he always greets me. They are the best. I wish I could buy one of your babies off of you next time they breed. You don't happen to live in Nor Cal?