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.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
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.
Eretmodus cyanostictus Breeding Guide
Overview
Eretmodus cyanostictus is a goby cichlid from the Tanzanian and Zambian shorelines of Lake Tanganyika (Wikipedia). It is a bi-parental mouthbrooder - an unusual strategy among Rift Lake cichlids, which are typically non-pairing maternal mouthbrooders. The pair shares incubation, with the female brooding first and then transferring the brood to the male (Seriously Fish). Genetic and field studies confirm the species is both socially and genetically monogamous (peer-reviewed review of eretmodine parental care).
Sexing
External sexing is unreliable. Spawning males display egg-shaped spots on the anal fin that play a role during fertilisation (Seriously Fish). As with related goby cichlids, the surest approach is to raise a group and let a pair bond form naturally, since pre-selected adults often fight.
Conditioning
This is a grazing species, so condition breeders on a vegetable-based diet supplemented with small invertebrate foods. Strong oxygenation is essential, reflecting the species' fast-flowing, surge-zone habitat (Seriously Fish).
Breeding Setup
Provide a rocky, well-oxygenated tank with strong current. A formed pair remains together for life and defends a territory (Seriously Fish). Breeding is reported at a pH of 8.2-9.0 and a temperature of 77-80 deg F (25-27 deg C).
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The female selects and cleans a rock surface, then lays 1-2 eggs at a time which the male fertilises before she picks them up; this is repeated until she has laid 10-30 eggs in total (Seriously Fish). The female mouthbroods for over two weeks, not feeding, before transferring the hatched fry to the male, who incubates them a further 7-14 days before release (Seriously Fish).
Egg & Fry Care
After the male releases the fry, the pair may continue biparental guarding (peer-reviewed review). Newly released fry accept brine shrimp nauplii and powdered spirulina-based flake from the first day, but growth is notably slow compared with other Tanganyikan cichlids (Seriously Fish).
Common Challenges
Seriously Fish rates breeding as difficult. Maintaining high oxygenation and strong flow, forming a stable pair, and the small brood size combined with slow fry growth all make this a project for experienced keepers.