New Fish! Finally!

[schooly20]

After waiting two months for everything to be ready for new fish I finally got them today. I got 6 Keyhole Cichlids and two German gold rams, they are all so pretty. The seem to be fairly shy, which I know they are shy fish. I'm planning on getting a nice sized school of rummy nose tetras in time. I got 6 Keyholes so that as they grow two will pair off and then then I'll bring the other 4 back, I cant wait! By the way does anyone know how long it takes for them to pair off, they're still fairly small, about 1.25 to 1.5 inches long (3 to 4 cm)? I'll post some pictures tomorrow but I'm just so excited I had to tell someone! They're all in a 55 gal (208L) tank. One other question though, is it possible to put shrimp in with them or would the fish eventually eat them?

 

[ReMz]

Haha. I know the feeling. Definitely exciting... but now you just get us all anxious and don't have pictures! Cant wait to see em

I'm no cichlid expert... just getting into them. I would guess shrimp are a no go.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Haha. I know the feeling. Definitely exciting... but now you just get us all anxious and don't have pictures! Cant wait to see em

I'm no cichlid expert... just getting into them. I would guess shrimp are a no go.

I would say the same thing if we are talking about smaller shrimp species. They may be fine for a while, but once the Keyholes get full grown (5-6 inches), you might find the shrimp disapering.

 

[schooly20]

Thats what I was thinking but I just thought I'd check, you know. I'll get some pictures posted when I get up in the morning tomorrow.

 

[schooly20]

I got pictures finally!

This is the full set up

This is the slate caves I built for them

This is of the plants and wood. They love to hind in them!

Finally the Keyholes! Here is two of them, they're still very shy.

Sadly the German gold rams were hidden in the back in a place I couldn't get the camera to, but I'll be sure to get some pictures and post them as soon as I can.

 

[Waynee13]

Hi, I have 10 Keyholes in my 5ft tank. all various sizes from 1/2 inch juvenile to 2.5 inch adult. They are fairly slow growing fish but once they get to about 1.5 inches they will start to pair off. The male has long dorsal and anal fins whereas the females tend to curl off at the ends slightly. They're very timid fish so watch out for disease if they get too stressed. Even if you keep them in groups, they will establish a pecking order and live peacefully together. Hope this is of some help to you. Nice set up by the way.

 

[schooly20]

Thank you, I've thought about keeping some if even after I get a pair, but I'd just worry about aggression if one of the pairs decideds to mate, you know. I've heard that keeping a school of tetras with them will help lessen their shyness.

 

[Waynee13]

Thank you, I've thought about keeping some if even after I get a pair, but I'd just worry about aggression if one of the pairs decideds to mate, you know. I've heard that keeping a school of tetras with them will help lessen their shyness.

Aggression isn't really a factor with these fish. When they lay their eggs they tend to chase everything away, even if the other fish is bigger. Thats about as aggressive as they get. Mine are in a 5x2x2 tank with lots of other types of cichlid, so choice of tank mates isn't critical. Like i say, mine are all various sizes and never had any problems so far. They are a very pretty, very peaceful fish. Just watching mine now and they just swim about with all the other fish.

 

[schooly20]

Cool, that really makes me think about keeping more than just one pair of them.

 

[Waynee13]

I would definately keep the 6 you have together. You will enjoy watching them with their playful nature. Have fun, keep me posted on how they are doing or if you need any help.

 

[schooly20]

I think I might do that. An update from today is that they are still very shy, dont seem to move much out of the side of the tank with all the plants. I'm not worried tough I figure this is because its a new tank and they're still getting settled. I think once I get a school of tetras in there too it'll help them realize there isnt anything to be scared of.

 

[Waynee13]

Hi Schooly. Hope all is well with the kids today. They will probably stay out of the way for a couple more days yet. Once they get a bit braver they will start to explore the tank and stop looking the dark brown colour and go a light creamy colour. Just try keep an eye out for any bullying within the group, wil prob get 1 or 2 trying to be the dominant 1. This will settle after day or two if it does happen. Speak soon.

 

[schooly20]

They're doing well today, becoming a little more brave. I saw all six of them in a group exploring the slate, it was really exciting! I think they're a lot more adventerous when I'm not in the room. It's all good though, I'm really excited to seem them develop their personalities. As far as bullying goes I haven't really seen any of that yet.

 

[Waynee13]

They're doing well today, becoming a little more brave. I saw all six of them in a group exploring the slate, it was really exciting! I think they're a lot more adventerous when I'm not in the room. It's all good though, I'm really excited to seem them develop their personalities. As far as bullying goes I haven't really seen any of that yet.

Thats good then, at least they are taking in their new surroundings. Have you fed them yet? I use Tetra Prima. They love it. They also go wild for frozen bloodworm too. Its good that they aren't fighting either. They seem to have a cheeky side to them.

 

[schooly20]

I have some Hikari sinking cichlid pellets that I've fed them but they dont seem to eat them. I do have some frozen bloodworms I've fed them as well and much like you said, you do really like them.