Opinoins on Keyhole Chichlids?

Twistersmom

Unfortunately I decided to move my tigerbarbs out of the bedroom today and put them in another tank.One of my minnow pike took a go at the smallest one and scuffed it up! The tigers are happy, they are in a group of 18 now, having lots of fun!!! Im feeling a little sad because the tigers where visually the most fun for me to watch at night before bed. Would like to add a couple more fish to the bedroom tank. They cant be any smaller than a full grown Tiger Barb. I am thinking keyhole chichlids, if I can find some that are full grown. Anyone have experience with them? I read they can be shy, kind of want something that is active, yet peaceful.

daisycutter

there very peacefull i had a breeding pair in my 30g comunity no problems at all

Twistersmom

Did they hide alot?

daisycutter

they are more active if they are given places to hide as they feel secure if they CAN hide its a trade off as these guys wont terrorise everthing else in the tank like most ciclids even when breeding

iamntbatman

Hmm even though they get considerably larger than the tiger barbs, I'd still be worried about putting keyholes with those minnow pikes. At 4.5" in length, I could see them getting attacked and eaten by a 12" livebearer with a mouth full of teeth. Depending on the size of the tank, I'd consider getting a larger, meaner fish like maybe convicts.

1077

I agree with above. Keyholes I have kept are peaceful and sometimes skiddish fish. Convicts could hold their own much better.

Twistersmom

Its a 65 gal tank. The belonesox pike are not aaggressive, they will just try and eat anything they think is small enough to fit in their mouth. They get along wonderfully with my 3 boesemans rainbows and 3 parkinson rainbows. Also have some skunk cory that are doing just fine.The lfs I bought my pike from said they are full grown adults.(females are about 5in., male 4in.) The tank also contain 2 stripped peacock eels. Dont think the convicts would work with the eels or the rainbows .I dont want more rainbows, beatiful, but lack personality. Any suggestions? Thanks!!!

daisycutter

ah belonesox pike one of my wish fish
perhaps firemouths may be an idea over keyholes there not particularly aggressive but can take care of themselves

Twistersmom

Just an update. I got two Bolivian Rams today. The appear big enough to stay clear from Pike damage. Also, bought two flounders today. Wish me luck on those, sound a little hard to keep! Thanks for all the help!

Wish you did not live so far away daisycutter, I would try to breed my pike for you. Only had them two months, had fry twice now. Unfortunatley both times the fry became fish food! I have not seen a baby yet!

iamntbatman

I believe your pike livebearers may still have some growing to do. There's some conflicting information out there, but I've read of females reaching 12" and I've seen some that were 7-8" in store tanks. I've also read that they get more aggressive as they age. Really cool fish, though. If they weren't $40 a pop, I'd love to have some myself!