Fish comparison
Ember Tetra vs Keyhole Cichlid
How the Ember Tetra and Keyhole Cichlid compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Ember Tetra vs Keyhole Cichlid
The Ember Tetra and the Keyhole Cichlid come up together a lot when people are choosing a fish, and they are close enough to weigh side by side. Both are happy somewhere around 23 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7, so a single tank can suit either one. Neither is harder than the other to keep, so the choice comes down to look and stocking rather than skill. If tank space is tight, the Ember Tetra needs less room to feel settled; give the Keyhole Cichlid the nod when you have the litres to spare.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
2 notes
Temperature
- Ember Tetra23–29 °C
- Keyhole Cichlid22–28 °C
pH
- Ember Tetra5.5–7
- Keyhole Cichlid6–7.5
Hardness
- Ember Tetra1–10 dGH
- Keyhole Cichlid5–18 dGH
What to plan for
- Ember Tetra schools, stock at least 8You've planned for 1 ember tetra. Ember Tetra need a group of at least 8 to feel safe and shoal naturally, below that they're stressed and lose colour. Dial up the count, or remove the species.
- 67% of your fish swim in the midHeavy concentration in a single zone. Spreading stocking across all three levels makes the tank read fuller for the same bioload.
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  FishEmber TetraHyphessobrycon amandae |  FishKeyhole CichlidCleithracara maronii |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | Rio das Mortes basin, Brazil | Northern South America (Orinoco, Guianas) |
| Family | Characidae | Cichlidae |
| Temperature | 23–29 °C | 22–28 °C |
| pH | 5.5–7.0 | 6.0–7.5 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 1–10 | 5–18 |
| Flow rate | Low | Low to Medium |
| Min tank | 40 L | 150 L |
| Adult size | 2 cm | 10–12 cm |
| Difficulty | 2 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 2–4 yrs | 8–12 yrs |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore |
| Water column | Mid | Mid to bottom |
| Schooling | Yes | Pair |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | Yes (adults safe with adult shrimp) | Adults only |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Ember Tetra and Keyhole Cichlid together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 23 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Ember Tetra or the Keyhole Cichlid?
They sit at the same care level, both beginner-friendly, so neither is the obvious beginner pick. The decision is really about the look you're after.
Do Ember Tetra and Keyhole Cichlid need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 23 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Ember Tetra and the Keyhole Cichlid?
Space. The Ember Tetra wants about 40 litres minimum and the Keyhole Cichlid around 150, so tank size can settle it.