Help please ! Keyhole cichlid problems !!

[Fishesareamazin]

Alright this is a long one sorry I’m new !!

I have a 180l , which has the next rough stocking :
Cherry barbs ( around 10 )
Rummy nose tetras ( 5 )
Kerri tetras ( 3 )
Khuli loach ( 3 )
Key holes ( 2 )
Diamon gouramis ( 2 )

My problem is with the key holes - when I bought the tank quite a few months ago it came with one key hole , I know they have to go in pairs or groups so yesterday I bought him / her a friend. And now they hate each other the old one is really bullying the new one - I can’t return it and I can’t seperate them so any ideas - I don’t know what sex but can send photos ?? The old one was never aggressive apart from feeding time ? And it is this one doing the chasing - are they pairing up or figuring out a hierarchy??

[V227]

Your tank is a little small, but you might consider adding one or two more Keyholes.
Spreading aggression by numbers is a common way of keeping relative peace in a Cichlid community.
Adding structure such as driftwood, plants & rocks often helps as well.

[Fishesareamazin]

Originally Posted by V227

Your tank is a little small, but you might consider adding one or two more Keyholes.
Spreading aggression by numbers is a common way of keeping relative peace in a Cichlid community.
Adding structure such as driftwood, plants & rocks often helps as well.

I would , however I am moving house in a few weeks and don’t want to add more fish just to stress them out with a move - will they be ok until then ? Or do i need to do something more ?? I am getting a new tank of 123cm long , 45cm , 36cm I’d like to go for a dwarf cichlid set up would this be big enough ? And I can put the key holes in there and get more ?? What stocking would you suggest ?

[V227]

Until the move, maybe toss in a few artificial
plants. It's doubtful that the dominant Keyhole will kill the subordinate.
If you are considering a dwarf Cichlid, look at the Bolivian Ram. They are a little bigger & more durable than the German Blue Rams.
Be a good idea to increase the Loach population. Maybe add a few YoYo Loaches.
They really keep a tank clean. Great scavengers.

[Fishesareamazin]

Originally Posted by V227

Until the move, maybe toss in a few artificial
plants. It's doubtful that the dominant Keyhole will kill the subordinate.
If you are considering a dwarf Cichlid, look at the Bolivian Ram. They are a little bigger & more durable than the German Blue Rams.
Be a good idea to increase the Loach population. Maybe add a few YoYo Loaches.
They really keep a tank clean. Great scavengers.

Ok , they have a huge amount of plants but I’ll add more . I’ve got rams in my smaller tank and love them perhaps I’ll get more - also got 5 yo yos and three clowns in another tank and I love them.

I was looking at cockatoo cichlids Aswell what about those ?

[V227]

I'm a big Loach fan too, keeping YoYo's, Red Tails and a Berdmorei Tiger Loach.
I've never kept Apistos, but have heard they are fairly easy to keep & do better in groups.

[DrWho42]

hello and welcome!

[Fishesareamazin]

Ok , so it’s still happening but not as badly so I hope it’s getting better . For my new setup ( in a few weeks ) I’m thinking of moving my two key holes and adding a few more , 4 rams , 2 cockatoos , my three yo yos , my two clown loaches and some plecos - would this work ? I also have a red tailed shark would he fit with the mix ??