Spathodus marlieri Goby Cichlid Care Guide
Spathodus marlieri is the largest Tanganyika goby cichlid, a shallow surf-zone rock-grazer that broods young in the mouth.
Overview
Spathodus marlieri is the largest of the Tanganyika goby cichlids, endemic to the lake and described by Poll in 1950. It is known only from the northern portion, where it inhabits very shallow rocky areas and grazes microorganisms from the rock biocover. The species name honours Belgian zoologist Georges Marlier.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Spathodus
- Scientific name: Spathodus marlieri
- Described by Poll, 1950
Habitat
FishBase reports it from rocky substrates in very shallow water down to about 2 metres in the northern lake, where it swims over the rock bottom alone or in pairs. It is a freshwater, benthopelagic species of tropical waters around 25-27 °C.
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 shallow surf zone with strong current and high oxygen. FishBase lists a wild temperature near 25-27 °C; the parameters above follow the verified care record for hard, alkaline Rift-lake water.
Diet
Feeds by picking microorganisms from the rock biocover, with a trophic level around 3.3 per FishBase. In the aquarium offer small frozen and prepared foods with vegetable content, fed about twice daily.
Compatibility
Semi-aggressive and bottom-oriented. It suits Tanganyika tanks with other goby cichlids and open-water Cyprichromis. Avoid mbuna and Tropheus, which would outcompete this specialist.
Breeding
A mouthbrooder. FishBase reports the female broods and cares for the young, holding eggs and larvae in the mouth in the manner typical of Tanganyika goby cichlids.
Conservation status
FishBase lists IUCN Near Threatened (assessed 2025); an earlier Wikipedia entry cited Least Concern, reflecting differing assessment versions.