Striped Goby Cichlid (Eretmodus cyanostictus) Care Guide
Eretmodus cyanostictus is a goby-like Tanganyika cichlid of turbulent surf-zone rocks, a biparental mouthbrooder that scrapes algae.
Overview
Eretmodus cyanostictus, the striped goby cichlid, is a small goby-like fish endemic to Lake Tanganyika and described by Boulenger in 1898. It occupies the turbulent, highly oxygenated surf zone, where it hops over rocks rather than swims freely, and is a biparental mouthbrooder.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Eretmodus
- Scientific name: Eretmodus cyanostictus
- Described by Boulenger, 1898
Habitat
FishBase reports it from the shallows of gradually sloping rocky coasts with some sand between the rocks, in turbulent, highly oxygenated surf-zone water. It occurs along the Tanzanian and Zambian shorelines of the lake.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L (53 gal)
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.5-9.2
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- Strong water movement and high oxygenation; rocky surf-zone layout
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Replicate the surf zone with strong current and high oxygen. FishBase lists wild values near 24-26 °C, pH 8.0-9.0 and dH 9-19; the parameters above follow the verified care record.
Diet
A herbivore. FishBase reports it feeds on algae scraped from the rocks, with a low trophic level of about 2.1. In the aquarium it should receive a vegetable-based diet such as spirulina-rich prepared foods, fed about twice daily.
Compatibility
Semi-aggressive and bottom-oriented. It suits Tanganyika tanks with other goby cichlids, Julidochromis and open-water Cyprichromis. Avoid mbuna and Tropheus, which would outcompete this specialist.
Breeding
Both parents brood the young in the mouth. FishBase reports mouthbrooding from egg cleavage through larvae up to about 1.09 cm, with brooding parents around 4.7-6.2 cm standard length.
Conservation status
FishBase lists IUCN Least Concern (assessed 2025). An earlier Wikipedia entry cited Near Threatened, reflecting differing assessment versions.