Though once classified as an Acara, the Keyhole Cichlid is now the sole member of the genus Cleithracara. These fish are named for the keyhole-shaped markings visible on either side of the body near the dorsal fin. These markings are typically accompanied by a full or partial dark, vertical stripe running through the eye of these fish. Most specimens of this species exhibit an overall silver or gray coloration with colorless fins. The Keyhole Cichlid is a South American Cichlid and can be found in Suriname, French Guiana, Venezuela and parts of Trinidad and Tobago. These fish tend to inhabit slow-moving waters such as clear streams and tributaries where the water is stained with tannins from leaf litter and decaying wood.