Keyhole Cichlid

The keyhole cichlid is a small, peaceful cichlid native to slow-moving freshwater rivers and streams of northern South America, including parts of Venezuela, Guyana, and the lower Orinoco basin. It is placed in the monotypic genus Cleithracara, distinguishing it from many of its more aggressive cichlid relatives. Named for a distinctive dark, keyhole-shaped blotch on its flank, the species is notable within the cichlid family for its unusually calm and non-territorial temperament, making it one of the gentler South American cichlids found in the wild and in the aquarium trade.

• Oval, moderately deep, laterally compressed body, 10-13 cm as adults
• Muted beige to pale olive-brown base coloration, capable of darkening or paling with mood
• Distinctive dark, irregular blotch shaped like an old-fashioned keyhole on the mid-flank — the defining field mark
• A dark stripe runs through the eye toward the snout
• Translucent to lightly speckled fins, rounded caudal fin

The keyhole-shaped flank blotch combined with subdued, mottled coloration readily separates this species from more vividly patterned South American cichlids.

Keyhole cichlids inhabit slow-flowing, often tannin-stained (blackwater or clearwater) rivers, streams, and flooded forest margins in northern South America, particularly drainages associated with the Orinoco and coastal Guyana river systems. These habitats typically feature soft, slightly acidic to neutral water, warm temperatures around 23-28°C, and abundant submerged roots, leaf litter, and driftwood offering cover. The species favors quieter backwaters and vegetated margins over fast open channels, consistent with its retiring, shelter-seeking nature, and it rarely strays far from dense cover.

Unusually for a cichlid, this species is shy and non-aggressive, often hiding among roots, driftwood, or dense vegetation rather than defending an open territory. It feeds opportunistically on small invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus picked from the substrate and cover. Keyhole cichlids form monogamous pairs that jointly guard a spawning site, typically a flat surface or cave-like crevice, and both parents cooperate in guarding eggs and shepherding free-swimming fry, a biparental substrate-spawning strategy. Its calm temperament allows it to coexist more readily with other peaceful fish species than most cichlids.