Aggressive keyhole cichlid part 1

5 keyholes and other fish being hounded by one solitary keyhole.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• fish
• 00000

[chronictruth1]

Hey do you know if the keyhole cichlid is a boy or girl I wanted to get one that looks exactly like that one...some don look as nice...

[tribesofgalway]

The keyhole doing the chasing is a male. The best way to determine sexes on these fish are to observe mature fish side by side and the differences can be seen - they are extremely difficult to sex when young. It's difficult to put a finger on exactly what you are seeing but a female just has a more "rounded" appearance to her. Also the anal fin on the female isn't as long and flowing as the male's is. The tip of the anal fin on a male literally extends back past the end of the tail fin.

[xThaVietx]

hey when u ask a store to specifically order for u don't they charge extra? and are these cichlids normally this aggressive?

[tribesofgalway]

@xThaVietx

Hi, whenever I have ever ordered fish there has never been a charge - the store is simply happy to get your custom. I have been buying various fish for many years and know plenty of other tropical fish enthusiasts and none have ever been charged a fee to order.

Keyhole cichlids are probably the most timid cichlid you can buy. This behaviour generally only happens in breeding mode and it is all bark and no bite! Other than in breeding mode they have a placid temperament.

[tribesofgalway]

Hi Katjamila, I am based in England and I purchased these fish from Peter Barratts which is essentially a garden centre with stores based in the north of the country. What I can tell you, whether you are based in Canada or wherever is that most aquatic stores will order specific species of your choice. I have been able to do this at Peter Barratts and many other stores without any problem and what's great is that you can order quite rare species of fish should you wish to. Good luck katjamila.

[tribesofgalway]

That is very kind of you Ardnassela, I really appreciate it!

[1stdanclaire]

It's because all your keyholes are male how unlucky one will have to be more dominant and beat the rest just incase a female comes along he may kill some of the other males. Also there is to many fish for the tank so they feel cramped so will be more aggressive

[rexlink1]

hey petsmart doesnt sell keyholes but i want some to breed im tired of the adult guppys eating their young and same with the molly's that i have and im just getting rather bored of those but i really cant find any places to buy keyholes

[vinniedurrant]

Listen; keyholes are the fucking most Gangster cichlid there is.

[xThaVietx]

@tribesofgalway oh really? dang i guess my local LFS are just assholes then... they try to make money then make their customers happy then. i was gonna try to get a couple of these guys but i settled on 2 angels and a leoprinus in my tank with some other guys

[katjamila]

Where did you get these keyholes from? I want two and can't find them anywhere!