Striped Goby Cichlid

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Scientific Name

Eretmodus cyanostictus

Min. Tank Size

30 gallons

Personality

Mildly aggressive & territorial

Temperature

75-82°F

pH

7.5-9.0/10-25°dGH

Size

3.5"

Diet

Herbivore

Breeding

Egglayer

Compatibility

Best kept in a biotype tank with other Lake Tanganyika species; should be kept singly or in mated pairs.

Striped Goby Cichlid

Also known as the Tanganyikan Clown, this species is endemic to Lake Tanganyika in Africa where it can be found in the upper levels of the lake along rocky shorelines. There are two variants of Striped Goby Cichlids – the southern variant exhibits more red and orange coloration in its fins than the northern variant. Most specimens of this species have dark bodies ornamented with several vertical gray or gold bars. Many specimens also exhibit bright blue spots on the head and upper half of the body as well as hints of blue coloring on the edges of some of the fins.

Tank Set-Up

These fish are best kept in a Lake Tanganyika biotype setup with other endemic species. The tank itself should be decorated with large rocks and caves and the substrate should be dark and sandy. Because these fish feed on algae in the wild, algae growth should be encouraged through the use of strong lighting.

Feeding

In the wild, Striped Goby Cichlids feed on algae and microorganisms. Thus, in captivity, these fish should be offered a vegetable-based diet including algae flakes, live algae growth and fresh vegetables. Though some live and frozen foods are acceptable, Striped Goby Cichlids should not be given high-protein foods like meat and shellfish.

Breeding

Striped Goby cichlids are difficult to breed in captivity. These fish are mouthbrooders but, unlike many Cichlids, both parents brood the eggs and fry. The breeding tank should be kept at a pH between 8.2 and 9.0 and a temperature between 77 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the spawning site has been selected the pair will clean it and then the female will release her eggs 1 or 2 at a time, picking the eggs up into her mouth after depositing them. The female will carry the eggs in her mouth for 1 to 2 weeks then transfer them to the male who will incubate them for an addition 1 or 2 weeks.