Spathodus erythrodon Care Guide
Spathodus erythrodon is a small surge-zone goby cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, grazing biocover from rocks in very shallow water.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Spathodus erythrodon is a cichlid of the family Cichlidae described by Boulenger in 1900. It is endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it inhabits the shallow surge zone over rubble and pebble substrates, usually in water less than about 0.3 m deep. Adults reach roughly 8.5 cm in total length.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Spathodus
- Scientific name: Spathodus erythrodon
- Described by: Boulenger, 1900
Habitat
The species is endemic to Lake Tanganyika and is absent from the southern end of the lake. It favours the wave-washed shoreline over rubble and pebble bottoms, typically at depths of less than a foot, where it grazes the algal and microorganism film covering the rocks.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.5-9.2
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- Water flow: high
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet
Spathodus erythrodon is a grazer that feeds by picking microorganisms and algae from the rock biocover. In the aquarium it accepts vegetable-based prepared foods and benefits from a setup with mature, algae-covered rockwork that mimics its natural aufwuchs grazing.
Compatibility
This bottom-dwelling species is semi-aggressive and territorial within the surge zone. It is best kept with other Tanganyika fish that occupy different niches, such as open-water Cyprichromis, and away from boisterous rock-dwelling groups such as Mbuna and Tropheus.
Breeding
According to FishBase, the female is a mouthbrooder, but the male takes over care of the young as soon as they are released from the female's mouth, an unusual pattern of post-release paternal care.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species is also recorded in commercial fisheries and the aquarium trade.
Spathodus erythrodon Breeding Guide
Overview
Spathodus erythrodon is a surf-zone goby cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika (absent from the southern end), reaching about 8.5 cm (3.3 in) TL and preferring rubble or pebble substrates in very shallow water, usually less than 0.3 m deep (Wikipedia). It is one of the eretmodine goby cichlids, which - except for Spathodus marlieri - practise biparental mouthbrooding in which the female broods eggs and early fry before the male takes over the larger fry (peer-reviewed review of eretmodine parental care).
Sexing
Reliable external sexing of this species is not documented in the consulted whitelisted sources and is therefore omitted. As with related goby cichlids, raising a group to allow a natural pair to form is the practical route to breeding fish.
Conditioning
Condition this grazing species on a vegetable-rich diet supplemented with small invertebrate foods, with strong oxygenation matching its very shallow, fast-flowing surge-zone habitat (Wikipedia for habitat).
Breeding Setup
Provide a shallow, rocky, well-oxygenated aquarium with vigorous current. A bonded pair holds and defends a territory; both parents participate in incubation, which is the defining feature of the eretmodine goby cichlids (peer-reviewed review).
Egg & Fry Care
Brood care is biparental: the female broods the eggs and early fry, then transfers the developing larvae to the male, who continues incubation until release (peer-reviewed review). Note: precise egg counts and brooding durations specific to S. erythrodon were not confirmed in a whitelisted source, so the egg-transfer mechanics here are presented at the eretmodine goby cichlid level.
Common Challenges
The species is rare in the hobby and demanding to keep, requiring very high oxygenation and strong flow. Establishing a stable pair and supporting the small, slow-developing broods typical of goby cichlids make this an advanced breeding project.