Keyhole Cichlid tank mates
Cleithracara maronii
6 rated pairings from the Keyhole Cichlid care guide. Compatibility here means water, temperament, tank zone and adult size all line up — the note on each card says why. Keyhole Cichlid needs at least 20 gallons on its own; every companion adds to that.
Excellent matches
3 · Same water, complementary zones, no conflict.Sterbai Corydoras
Corydoras sterbai
20 gal min · 2.5" adult · Peaceful
Bottom-dwelling catfish that share similar water parameters and peaceful temperament
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
10 gal min · 1.5" adult · Peaceful
Small, peaceful schooling fish that occupy upper water column and do not compete with Keyholes
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
15 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Peaceful community fish with similar water requirements and non-aggressive behavior
Good matches
3 · Compatible with normal care — watch space and numbers.
Otocinclus
Otocinclus vittatus
10 gal min · 1.5" adult · Peaceful
Small algae-eating catfish that are peaceful and prefer similar soft, slightly acidic water
Dwarf Gourami
Trichogaster lalius
15 gal min · 3.5" adult · Semi-aggressive
Peaceful labyrinth fish that occupy different tank zones and have compatible temperament
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
10 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Peaceful invertebrates that help control algae and do not threaten adult Keyholes
Also recommended alongside Keyhole Cichlid
Species whose own guides list Keyhole Cichlid as a tank mate.
Aureum Cichlid
Thorichthys aureum
40 gal min · 6" adult · Semi-aggressive
Dwarf Marbled Catfish
Microglanis poecilus
20 gal min · 2.8" adult · Semi-aggressive
Sajica Cichlid
Amatitlania sajica
30 gal min · 4" adult · Semi-aggressive
Spilurus Cichlid
Cryptoheros spilurus
40 gal min · 5" adult · Semi-aggressive
Planning this tank?
Run the whole stock list through the calculator — it checks bioload and schooling numbers, not just pairings.