Keyhole Cichlid Swimming level.

[Pile_O_Rocks]

I currently have a 4 foot 90 gallon aquarium which I am planning to stock over the next 1 and a half years. I like the idea of keyholes but I am already going to have a relatively full bottom area of the tank that will consist of
•4 Trachelyichthys Exilis (already got one, getting the other 3 tomorrow. They get 3”)
•6 Panda Cories
•1 Spotted or Striped Raphael.
•1 Half Banded Spiny Eel
•1 Rubberlip Pleco
•6 Amano Shrimp (Possibly will rehome once other fish get to a size that they may view them as edible.)
I decided on the centrepiece if a Festivum because they are one of the few mid-dwelling Cichlids like discus and angels. I have also noticed that keyholes are relatives of those three Cichlids so I was wondering if they spend most of their time in the middle too? As I think that a pair (1M 1F or 2F) would be nice to compliment the Festivum? I’d probably not want many other “cave dwellers” as my tanks layout probably wouldn’t allow it.

 

[Fishnerd360]

When I had keyhole cichlids, they usually stayed in more of the bottom area, or hid in leaves of the mid area. I would say they spend most of there time in the bottom area, but that was from my experience.

 

[neutrino]

They seem to like hanging out near plants. Depending on other fish in the tank, they may find a niche not claimed by other cichlids or otherwise in a planted tank with tall plants can be all over the place. My guess from this-- and from wild footage I've seen-- is they feel more secure with structure than open water, so where you see them depends on this and how they fit in with other fish and their territories.

 

[jeaninel]

Mine hang out mostly on the bottom. And yes they like cover such as plants to hang out in.