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    • Amphilophus citrinellus 02 Keyhole Cichlid
    "Amphilophus citrinellus 02" by Doronenko is licensed under CC BY 3.0

    Keyhole Cichlid

    Swim into the vivid world of friendly, spotted fish!

    Amphilophus citrinellus 02 Keyhole Cichlid
    "Amphilophus citrinellus 02" by Doronenko is licensed under CC BY 3.0

    The Basics

    Scientific Name

    Cleithracara maronii

    Conservation Status

    Location

    Average size

    10 to 12 centimeters long

    diet

    Insects, plant matter

    lifespan

    7 to 10 years

    Let’s Explore

    Overview

    The Keyhole Cichlid is a charming little fish found in the warm waters of Central America. Its scientific name is Cleithracara maronii, but you can call it Keyhole for short!
    This fish belongs to the class Actinopterygii and is part of the Cichlidae family, which includes many colorful and clever fish. Keyhole Cichlids usually grow to be about 10 to 12 centimeters long, which is about the size of a common sandwich!
    Keyhole Cichlids have a delightful diet that consists of insects and plant matter. They love to munch on all sorts of tasty treats in their aquatic homes, keeping it balanced and nutritious.
    These fish can live quite happily for 7 to 10 years, so they make long-time companions in aquariums. They enjoy exploring and interacting with their surroundings, showcasing their playful personalities!
    Their name comes from the distinctive shape of their spots that resemble little keyholes. This playful pattern makes them a favorite for fish enthusiasts looking to brighten their tanks.
    Keyhole Cichlids are social creatures that thrive in groups. They love to hang out with their fish friends, swim around, and show off their beautiful colors!
    If you're looking for a fish that brings joy and curiosity to your underwater adventures, the Keyhole Cichlid is sure to make a splash!

    Where can you find a Keyhole Cichlid in the wild?

    What does a Keyhole Cichlid eat?

    How big can a Keyhole Cichlid grow?

    How long does a Keyhole Cichlid typically live?

    What is the conservation status of the Keyhole Cichlid?

    What are the main threats to the Keyhole Cichlid?

    wowzerful facts

    The Keyhole Cichlid can change its color slightly to communicate with other fish, blending in with its environment or showing off during social interactions!

    This fish often creates caves and nests in the sand or among rocks, proving to be a skilled builder in its underwater world!

    Keyhole Cichlids are known for their playful nature, often engaging in chase games and displays of acrobatics with their fish friends.

    They sometimes exhibit caring behavior by protecting their young, making them attentive parents in the underwater community!

    These fish have a unique talent for being algae eaters, helping to keep their homes clean and sparkling like nature's little janitors!

    When a Keyhole Cichlid gets excited or startled, it can produce small sounds by rubbing its bones together, making it a fishy little chatterbox!

    In the wild, these fish can sometimes be found playfully swimming through the branches of submerged trees, creating their own little aquatic playground!

    With proper care, these fish can live longer than 10 years in an aquarium, meaning they can become lifelong companions for their human friends.

    Keyhole Cichlids have been kept in aquariums since the 1970s, charming fish enthusiasts with their vibrant colors and friendly personalities!

    In their natural habitat, these fish often school together, showing off their sparkling colors like a dazzling underwater parade!

    Photos

    IMG_2267.JPG
    "IMG_2267.JPG" by james_mk_green is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
    Amphilophus citrinellus 01
    "Amphilophus citrinellus 01" by Doronenko is licensed under CC BY 3.0
    Amphilophus citrinellus 02
    "Amphilophus citrinellus 02" by Doronenko is licensed under CC BY 3.0
    IMG_2574.JPG
    "IMG_2574.JPG" by james_mk_green is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

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    © Wowzerful 2025

    The Keyhole Cichlid can change its color slightly to communicate with other fish, blending in with its environment or showing off during social interactions!

    This fish often creates caves and nests in the sand or among rocks, proving to be a skilled builder in its underwater world!

    Keyhole Cichlids are known for their playful nature, often engaging in chase games and displays of acrobatics with their fish friends.

    They sometimes exhibit caring behavior by protecting their young, making them attentive parents in the underwater community!

    These fish have a unique talent for being algae eaters, helping to keep their homes clean and sparkling like nature's little janitors!

    When a Keyhole Cichlid gets excited or startled, it can produce small sounds by rubbing its bones together, making it a fishy little chatterbox!

    In the wild, these fish can sometimes be found playfully swimming through the branches of submerged trees, creating their own little aquatic playground!

    With proper care, these fish can live longer than 10 years in an aquarium, meaning they can become lifelong companions for their human friends.

    Keyhole Cichlids have been kept in aquariums since the 1970s, charming fish enthusiasts with their vibrant colors and friendly personalities!

    In their natural habitat, these fish often school together, showing off their sparkling colors like a dazzling underwater parade!

    Overview

    The Keyhole Cichlid is a charming little fish found in the warm waters of Central America. Its scientific name is Cleithracara maronii, but you can call it Keyhole for short!
    This fish belongs to the class Actinopterygii and is part of the Cichlidae family, which includes many colorful and clever fish. Keyhole Cichlids usually grow to be about 10 to 12 centimeters long, which is about the size of a common sandwich!
    Keyhole Cichlids have a delightful diet that consists of insects and plant matter. They love to munch on all sorts of tasty treats in their aquatic homes, keeping it balanced and nutritious.
    These fish can live quite happily for 7 to 10 years, so they make long-time companions in aquariums. They enjoy exploring and interacting with their surroundings, showcasing their playful personalities!
    Their name comes from the distinctive shape of their spots that resemble little keyholes. This playful pattern makes them a favorite for fish enthusiasts looking to brighten their tanks.
    Keyhole Cichlids are social creatures that thrive in groups. They love to hang out with their fish friends, swim around, and show off their beautiful colors!
    If you're looking for a fish that brings joy and curiosity to your underwater adventures, the Keyhole Cichlid is sure to make a splash!

    Where are Keyhole Cichlid found in the wild?

    In the bright and warm waters of Central America, you can find this delightful fish swimming happily among the aquatic plants. It enjoys living in freshwater habitats like rivers and lakes, where it hides and plays, making its home in cozy spots among rocks or roots!
    These fish love to stay in calm and peaceful areas, where they can explore their surroundings and socialize with their friends. Whether in quiet lagoons or slow-moving streams, they always bring a splash of color and life!

    What does a Keyhole Cichlid eat?

    This charming fish loves to feast on insects and plant matter found in its freshwater home. With a healthy appetite, it enjoys gobbling up small insects and nibbling on tasty aquatic plants, helping it stay vibrant and full of energy while swimming among the rich greenery of lakes and rivers!

    How big can a Keyhole Cichlid grow?

    This colorful little fish lives in warm waters and grows to a delightful size of 10 to 12 centimeters long. Just imagine a lively sandwich swimming around with dazzling colors!

    How long does a Keyhole Cichlid typically live?

    This lively fish can live for an exciting 7 to 10 years in the right conditions, bringing joy to any aquarium! As it swims through its long life, the Keyhole Cichlid goes through various stages, but there are no distinct developmental phases to track, making its journey continuous and full of fun!

    What is the conservation status of the Keyhole Cichlid?

    This colorful fish enjoys a secure and happy life in the wild as it holds a conservation status of Least Concern. Its populations remain stable, and it continues to thrive in its warm freshwater homes across Central America, where it swims and plays among the plants!

    What are the main threats to the Keyhole Cichlid?

    This colorful fish may face challenges from natural predators like larger fish and birds that swim or dive into the water. Other creatures in its habitat, such as snakes and amphibians, might also enjoy a tasty Keyhole Cichlid as part of their diet!
    On the human side, things like habitat loss can occur when people build homes or businesses by lakes and rivers. Pollution from fertilizers and waste can cloud the water, making it tough for these fish to find food and stay healthy. Luckily, they currently have a secure conservation status, so they continue to thrive and fill their world with vibrant colors!

    IMG_2267.JPG
    "IMG_2267.JPG" by james_mk_green is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
    "IMG_2267.JPG" by james_mk_green is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
    Amphilophus citrinellus 01
    "Amphilophus citrinellus 01" by Doronenko is licensed under CC BY 3.0
    "Amphilophus citrinellus 01" by Doronenko is licensed under CC BY 3.0
    Amphilophus citrinellus 02
    "Amphilophus citrinellus 02" by Doronenko is licensed under CC BY 3.0
    "Amphilophus citrinellus 02" by Doronenko is licensed under CC BY 3.0
    IMG_2574.JPG
    "IMG_2574.JPG" by james_mk_green is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
    "IMG_2574.JPG" by james_mk_green is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0