Tank mates for keyhole cichlids
We checked keyhole cichlids against all 149 other species in our database for water temperature, pH, size, fin nipping, predation and aggression.
Good tank mates for keyhole cichlids include betta fish, nerite snail, guppy, dwarf gourami, neon tetra and panda corydoras. Avoid cherry shrimp, oscar and chili rasbora: keyhole cichlid eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
Keyhole cichlids: 22–26°C (72–79°F), pH 6–7.5, adult size 10 cm (3.9 in), minimum tank 29 gallons (110 L). Full keyhole cichlid care guide.
Good Compatible tank mates (97)
Shared water conditions and no known conflict. Still add fish slowly and watch them.
Angelfish
15 cm (5.9 in) · 29+ gal
Betta fish
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 5+ gal
Bristlenose pleco
12 cm (4.7 in) · 20+ gal
Bronze corydoras
7 cm (2.8 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Common pleco
40 cm (15.7 in) · 150+ gal
Dwarf gourami
7.5 cm (3 in) · 15+ gal
Guppy
5 cm (2 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 3+
Neon tetra
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 8+
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 5+ gal
Panda corydoras
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 6+
Zebra danio
5 cm (2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
African dwarf frog
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 2+
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 5+ gal
Bala shark
30 cm (11.8 in) · 230+ gal · groups of 5+
Black skirt tetra
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 8+
Cardinal tetra
4 cm (1.6 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 8+
Cherry barb
5 cm (2 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 6+
Denison barb
13 cm (5.1 in) · 75+ gal · groups of 6+
Dwarf neon rainbowfish
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Electric blue acara
15 cm (5.9 in) · 40+ gal
Firemouth cichlid
13 cm (5.1 in) · 29+ gal
Glowlight tetra
4 cm (1.6 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 6+
Harlequin rasbora
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 8+
Honey gourami
5 cm (2 in) · 10+ gal
Julii corydoras
5.5 cm (2.2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Kribensis
10 cm (3.9 in) · 29+ gal
Kuhli loach
9 cm (3.5 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Malaysian trumpet snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 10+ gal
Molly
10 cm (3.9 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 3+
Mystery snail
5 cm (2 in) · 10+ gal
Otocinclus
4 cm (1.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Pearl gourami
11.5 cm (4.5 in) · 29+ gal
Peppered corydoras
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Pictus catfish
13 cm (5.1 in) · 75+ gal · groups of 3+
Platy
6 cm (2.4 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 3+
Rainbow shark
15 cm (5.9 in) · 75+ gal
Ramshorn snail
2 cm (0.8 in) · 5+ gal
Red-tail shark
12 cm (4.7 in) · 75+ gal
Rummy-nose tetra
5 cm (2 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 10+
Siamese algae eater
15 cm (5.9 in) · 55+ gal
Silver dollar
15 cm (5.9 in) · 75+ gal · groups of 5+
Sterbai corydoras
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Three spot gourami
12 cm (4.7 in) · 29+ gal
X-ray tetra
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 6+
Yoyo loach
13 cm (5.1 in) · 75+ gal · groups of 5+
African butterfly fish
11 cm (4.3 in) · 29+ gal
Black ghost knifefish
45 cm (17.7 in) · 125+ gal
Black neon tetra
4 cm (1.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 8+
Black phantom tetra
4 cm (1.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Bleeding heart tetra
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 8+
Bloodfin tetra
5 cm (2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Bolivian ram
8 cm (3.1 in) · 29+ gal
Bumblebee catfish
7.5 cm (3 in) · 20+ gal
Clown killifish
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 6+
Clown pleco
9 cm (3.5 in) · 20+ gal
Cockatoo cichlid
7.5 cm (3 in) · 20+ gal
Congo tetra
8 cm (3.1 in) · 40+ gal · groups of 6+
Diamond tetra
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Dwarf chain loach
6 cm (2.4 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 6+
Emerald green corydoras
8 cm (3.1 in) · 55+ gal · groups of 6+
Emperor tetra
5 cm (2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Endler's livebearer
3 cm (1.2 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 3+
Forktail blue-eye
5 cm (2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 8+
Gardneri killifish
6 cm (2.4 in) · 10+ gal
Giant danio
10 cm (3.9 in) · 55+ gal · groups of 6+
Glass catfish
7 cm (2.8 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 6+
Golden wonder killifish
9 cm (3.5 in) · 20+ gal
Head and tail light tetra
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Kissing gourami
20 cm (7.9 in) · 75+ gal
Lambchop rasbora
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 8+
Lemon tetra
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 8+
Marbled hatchetfish
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 8+
Odessa barb
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Panda garra
8.5 cm (3.3 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 3+
Peacock gudgeon
6 cm (2.4 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 2+
Penguin tetra
5 cm (2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Red rainbowfish
12 cm (4.7 in) · 40+ gal · groups of 6+
Ropefish
35 cm (13.8 in) · 75+ gal
Rosy tetra
4 cm (1.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Rubber lip pleco
14 cm (5.5 in) · 29+ gal
Scissortail rasbora
12 cm (4.7 in) · 55+ gal · groups of 6+
Serpae tetra
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 10+
Sparkling gourami
3.8 cm (1.5 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 2+
Swordtail
12 cm (4.7 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 4+
Threadfin rainbowfish
4 cm (1.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Tinfoil barb
30 cm (11.8 in) · 200+ gal · groups of 6+
Turquoise rainbowfish
11 cm (4.3 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 6+
Upside-down catfish
9.5 cm (3.7 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 4+
Zebra loach
9 cm (3.5 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 5+
Black ruby barb
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Checkerboard barb
5 cm (2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Flame tetra
3 cm (1.2 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 8+
Glowlight danio
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Pearl danio
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Silvertip tetra
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 8+
Thick-lipped gourami
9 cm (3.5 in) · 20+ gal
Variatus platy
6 cm (2.4 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 3+
Caution Possible, with care (31)
These can work in the right setup, but there is a real risk. Read the reason first.
- Common goldfish · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 22–22°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Fancy goldfish · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 22–23°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Tiger barb · 29+ gal
- Tiger barb nips fins and can stress slow, peaceful fish like keyhole cichlids.
- Amano shrimp · 10+ gal
- Keyhole cichlid hunts shrimp. Larger amano shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
- Blood parrot cichlid · 55+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase keyhole cichlids, which use the same area.
- Boesemani rainbowfish · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Celestial pearl danio · 10+ gal
- Keyhole cichlid may eat celestial pearl danios, especially young or small ones.
- Clown loach · 180+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Dojo loach · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 22–23°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Ghost shrimp · 10+ gal
- Keyhole cichlid hunts shrimp. Larger ghost shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
- Hillstream loach · 20+ gal
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Pygmy corydoras · 10+ gal
- Keyhole cichlid may eat pygmy corydoras, especially young or small ones.
- Rosy barb · 29+ gal
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Senegal bichir · 90+ gal
- Senegal bichir may eat keyhole cichlids, especially young or small ones.
- Senegal bichir is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller keyhole cichlids.
- White cloud mountain minnow · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 22–22°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Bamboo shrimp · 20+ gal
- Keyhole cichlid hunts shrimp. Larger bamboo shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
- Buenos Aires tetra · 29+ gal
- Buenos Aires tetra nips fins and can stress slow, peaceful fish like keyhole cichlids.
- Dwarf orange crayfish · 10+ gal
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Keyhole cichlid may attack small crustaceans like dwarf orange crayfish, especially after they molt.
- Gold barb · 29+ gal
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Paradise fish · 20+ gal
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Rabbit snail · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
- Rosy loach · 15+ gal
- Keyhole cichlid may eat rosy loaches, especially young or small ones.
- Severum · 55+ gal
- Severum defends its patch of the tank and may chase keyhole cichlids, which use the same area.
- Thai micro crab · 5+ gal
- Keyhole cichlid may attack small crustaceans like Thai micro crabs, especially after they molt.
- Vampire shrimp · 20+ gal
- Keyhole cichlid hunts shrimp. Larger vampire shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
- Zebra pleco · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 26–26°C).
- Dwarf rasbora · 10+ gal
- Keyhole cichlid may eat dwarf rasboras, especially young or small ones.
- Green neon tetra · 10+ gal
- Keyhole cichlid may eat green neon tetras, especially young or small ones.
- Least killifish · 10+ gal
- Keyhole cichlid may eat least killifish, especially young or small ones.
- Moonlight gourami · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–26°C).
Avoid Bad tank mates (21)
- Cherry shrimp: Keyhole cichlid eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
- Oscar: Oscar can eat keyhole cichlids: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Chili rasbora: Keyhole cichlid can eat chili rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful keyhole cichlids.
- Convict cichlid: Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful keyhole cichlids.
- Discus: They need different temperatures: Keyhole cichlid 22–26°C (72–79°F), discus 28–30°C (82–86°F).
- Electric yellow cichlid: Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Keyhole cichlids don't belong in that setup.
- Ember tetra: Keyhole cichlid can eat ember tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- German blue ram: They need different temperatures: Keyhole cichlid 22–26°C (72–79°F), german blue ram 27–30°C (81–86°F).
- Jack Dempsey: Jack Dempsey is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful keyhole cichlids.
- Pea puffer: Pea puffer is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful keyhole cichlids. Pea puffer is best kept in a species-only tank.
- Peacock cichlid: Peacock cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Keyhole cichlids don't belong in that setup.
- Red zebra cichlid: Red zebra cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful keyhole cichlids. Red zebra cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Keyhole cichlids don't belong in that setup.
- Crystal red shrimp: Keyhole cichlid eats small shrimp like crystal red shrimp.
- Demasoni cichlid: Demasoni cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful keyhole cichlids. Demasoni cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Keyhole cichlids don't belong in that setup.
- Frontosa: Frontosa can eat keyhole cichlids: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. Frontosa is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 8–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Keyhole cichlids don't belong in that setup.
- Green terror: Green terror is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful keyhole cichlids.
- Jewel cichlid: Jewel cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful keyhole cichlids.
- Kubotai rasbora: Keyhole cichlid can eat kubotai rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Scarlet badis: Keyhole cichlid can eat scarlet badis: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Shell dweller cichlid: Shell dweller cichlid is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Keyhole cichlids don't belong in that setup.
Frequently asked questions
What fish can live with keyhole cichlids?
Good tank mates for keyhole cichlids include betta fish, nerite snail, guppy, dwarf gourami, neon tetra and panda corydoras. They need similar water and won't fight with or eat keyhole cichlids.
Can keyhole cichlids live with angelfish?
Yes. They share similar water needs (24–26°C (75–79°F)) and peaceful temperaments.
Can keyhole cichlids live with bettas?
Yes. They share similar water needs (24–26°C (75–79°F)) and peaceful temperaments.
Can keyhole cichlids live with bristlenose plecos?
Yes. They share similar water needs (22–26°C (72–79°F)) and peaceful temperaments.
Can keyhole cichlids live with bronze corydoras?
Yes. They share similar water needs (22–26°C (72–79°F)) and peaceful temperaments.
How we decide: we compare each pair's comfortable temperature, pH and hardness ranges, adult sizes, mouth size (who can eat whom), fin nipping, aggression and territory. Read the full method. Data last reviewed 2026-10-13.