The Tropical Tank

[rookery]

I have a solitary Keyhole cichlid in my 30" x 12" x 15" tank along with 6 Odessa Barbs, 5 peppered corys and an Ancistrus. Would it be better to have another Keyhole or is he/she happy on his/her own.

[Apistogramma]

Hiya and welcome to TTT!

To get an idea of how everything is going I just have a couple of questions before advising you to get another fish...

I assume the tank has been set up and running for some months at least?
Do you do regular weekly water changes?

Your tank has space for 32" of small adult fish.
You have:

6 odessa barbs @ 3" = 18"
5 peppered corys @ 3" = 15"
Ancistrus @ 5" (approx.) = 5"
Keyhole @ 4" = 4"

Total = 42"

As you are already overstocked I would not recommend getting another keyhole cichlid at this time as they are quite large and therefore will produce more waste. I'd advise you to reduce your stock to be honest - although if you had an external filter, good surface movement on the tank and a good weekly water change routine then you might be able to get away with it if you felt that you could continue to maintain good conditions for your fish (mainly through water changes and ensuring you don't overfeed).

Keyholes are generally quite shy and peaceful but a spawning pair will be aggressive towards other fish just as any other cichlid. I wouldn't suggest risking that in your tank in case they paired up and then became aggressive towards the other tank mates. However if you really like them then there's nothing to stop you exchanging some of your present stock for another. They are well worth keeping by all accounts and certainly a nice-natured, colourful cichlid.
_________________
Becky

*Aimlessly drives around in the steam roller with Karena's now fairly blunt scissors...and Lisa's hedge trimmer*