flat_stan flat_stan
  • Just popping in
  • Just popping in
  • Joined: 13/9/2008 10:02
  • From London
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 10
  • Posted on: 14/8/2009 23:24
keyhole or fairy suitable? #1
would either of these work:

I have a 200l approx tank (i think the measured dimensions make it about 240l but obviously sand etc reduces).

I've got hard water, pH just below 8, nitrite and ammonia zero and the tank is fully cycled.

My current occupants are 6 red tailed rasboras and 5 sterbai corys. I am thinking of making the red tailed shoal bigger.

I would like 2-5 larger fish in the tank - would either fairy or keyhole cichilds be suitable?

Other than that I might add an algae eater and possibly a couple of horse faced loaches.

any advice much appreciated.
flat_stan flat_stan
  • Just popping in
  • Just popping in
  • Joined: 13/9/2008 10:02
  • From London
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 10
  • Posted on: 17/8/2009 19:37
Re: keyhole or fairy suitable? #2
After a bit more research it appears that Keyholes would be the more suitable choice. Does anyone know if these must be kept in pairs or would three be viable?
suey2 suey2
  • Coldwater Moderator
  • Coldwater Moderator
  • Joined: 21/2/2006 14:46
  • From London
  • Group: Registered Users Caresheets Moderators Advisers Image Admin
  • Posts: 10089
  • Posted on: 18/8/2009 12:59
Re: keyhole or fairy suitable? #3
Hello - I have no idea about cichlids I'm afraid but I had a little rootle around and found a couple of threads which might help Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than me will be along shortly!

http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/modules/ ... id=190335#forumpost190335

http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/modules/ ... id=222861#forumpost222861
It's Not Just A Fish
flat_stan flat_stan
  • Just popping in
  • Just popping in
  • Joined: 13/9/2008 10:02
  • From London
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 10
  • Posted on: 18/8/2009 20:40
Re: keyhole or fairy suitable? #4
Thanks suey, those threads are helpful.
flat_stan flat_stan
  • Just popping in
  • Just popping in
  • Joined: 13/9/2008 10:02
  • From London
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 10
  • Posted on: 23/8/2009 20:49
Re: keyhole or fairy suitable? #5
After reading everything I could find on the internet I decided on keyholes. I picked up 3 juveniles today from Wholesale Tropicals. I am very pleased with them at the moment; they are intelligent, energetic fish that have already added something to the tank.

Time will tell if they were the right choice but I am hopeful. Here' two of them. Resized Image
gwa84 gwa84
  • Cichlid Adviser
  • Cichlid Adviser
  • Joined: 20/10/2007 2:04
  • From Yorkshire
  • Group: Registered Users FK Supporter
  • Posts: 2097
  • Posted on: 6/9/2009 10:09
Re: keyhole or fairy suitable? #6
very nice you will love them ime sure make sure you give them a very veryed diet and plenty of wormy foods
[img]http://i275.p
flat_stan flat_stan
  • Just popping in
  • Just popping in
  • Joined: 13/9/2008 10:02
  • From London
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 10
  • Posted on: 6/9/2009 11:34
Re: keyhole or fairy suitable? #7
Yes, I give them flake, catfish pellets (well obviously these ae supposed to be for the corys but the keholes eat them anyway), tubifix, frozen bloodworm, moaquito larvae, brineshrimp and daphnia. I'd say bloodworm is their favourite.

Anyway, 3 weeks in and a pair has formed, and today I notice eggs on a flat rock beneath a plant. The parents are guarding these quite effectively at the moment so we will see what happens.

The slight trouble is the 3rd kehole is getting a hard time from the two parents - I think I might have to re-home him.
gwa84 gwa84
  • Cichlid Adviser
  • Cichlid Adviser
  • Joined: 20/10/2007 2:04
  • From Yorkshire
  • Group: Registered Users FK Supporter
  • Posts: 2097
  • Posted on: 6/9/2009 23:44
Re: keyhole or fairy suitable? #8
yep time to re home the sper you got lucky with a pering as fast as that
[img]http://i275.p