Keyhole cichlid

The keyhole cichlid, Cleithracara maronii, is a cichlid fish endemic to tropical South America, occurring in the Orinoco River basin from Guyana to French Guiana.

Picture of the Keyhole cichlid has been licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike.
Original source: Own work Author Bartosz Senderek Permission (
Author: Bartosz Senderek Permission (

The Keyhole cichlid lives in the benthopelagic, freshwater, brackish, pH range: 6.0 - 8.0, dH range: 20 environment.

Keyhole Cichlid will eat all flake and freeze-dried foods and should have an occasional feeding of live brine shrimp. More

In its native habitat, the keyhole cichlid is a stream-dweller found in areas of reduced water flow and abundant cover in the form of fallen branches, leaves and sometimes flooded terrestrial vegetation. In the aquarium, it is a relatively easy habitat to simulate. More

shaped marking, which the keyhole cichlid gets it's name from is located in the middle of the rear half of the fish. This marking may look like a keyhole or just a black dot. More

The keyhole cichlid, Cleithracara maronii, is a cichlid fish endemic to tropical South America, occurring in the Orinoco River basin from Guyana to French Guiana. The single species is the only species in the genus Cleithracara. More

Keyhole cichlid has the ability to undergo a rapid color change when frightened. The colors can change to a dark brown. SIZE: To 6" (15 cm) in nature, although males rarely exceed 4" (10 cm) in captivity. More

keyhole cichlid will make a fine addition to a community set up. Not seen as much as before , don't pass up this fine fish when it is available. More

I have two keyhole cichlid and they are great fish, one is 8-9 cm and the other 6-7 cm. At the start they were a bit territorial, now they follow each other around but they do fin nip my upside down catfish. More

The keyhole cichlid is a rather friendly cichlid that is suitable to be kept with a wide variety of different friendly species. More

I have a young keyhole cichlid in my 29g tank. It is with a green terror, firemouth and a yellow acara, also young. The keyhole seems to be the dominant fish as it has the darkest color out of all of them, but it likes to hide... More

Keyhole cichlids are a fun and peaceful cichlids that can make good members of the community aquarium. They are fairly non demanding and forgiving of water quality. They are a shy fish so utilize plenty of rocks, plants and other sources of refuge when aquascaping. More

The Keyhole Cichlid is a favorite among cichlid enthusiasts. With a light green body and black fins, this specimen offers glimpses of contrast as it swims amongst the rocks or plants. In addition, these fish are generally hardy. More

In the wild, Keyhole Cichlids inhabit small creeks in coastal zones, often with clear water, lower currents, and ripe with fallen and decaying trees and debris. In the home aquarium, house them in aquariums of 30 gallons or more. More

Keyhole Cichlids More

Truly huge keyhole cichlids are all of 5 inches (13 centimeters) in length. They tend to be shy and retiring and prosper only in aquariums with a thicket of vegetation and driftwood and shoals of peaceful dither fish. More

Common names

Acara in Portuguese (Português)
Acara maroni in French (français)
Agudédé in Creoles and Pidgins, English
Agudédé in Djuka
Akala sonwin in Oyampi
Akala sonwin in South American Indian (Other)
Akara hnedá in Slovak (slovenčina)
Akara maronska in Polish (polski)
Avainkirjoahven in Finnish (suomen kieli)
Awalipa in South American Indian (Other)
Awalipa in Wayana
Awifi in Creoles and Pidgins, English
Awifi in Djuka
Cleithracara maronii in Catalan (Català)
Cleithracara maronii in French (français)
Keyhole in English
Keyhole cichlid in English
Kolobia in Creoles and Pidgins, English
Kolobia in Djuka
Krobia in Saramaccan
Krobia in South American Indian (Other)
Maronibuntbarsch in German (Deutsch)
Nøglehulcichlide in Danish (dansk)
Nøkkelhullciklide in Norwegian (Norsk)
Nyckelhålscichlid in Swedish (Svenska)
Owroe wefi in Creoles and Pidgins, English
Owroe wefi in Saramaccan
Pakawété boko olékopo in Carib
Pakawété boko olékopo in Galibi
Prapra in Creole, French
Prapra in Creoles and Pidgins, French
Schlüssellochbuntbarsch in German (Deutsch)

Picture of Cleithracara maronii has been licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial.
Original source: BioLib.cz
-Jiří Duchoň -Author: Jiří Duchoň
Permission: Some rights reserved
Order : Perciformes
Family : Cichlidae
Genus : Cleithracara
Species : Cleithracara maronii
Authority : Steindachner, 1881