Spotfin Goby Cichlid (Tanganicodus irsacae) Care Guide
Tanganicodus irsacae is the smallest Tanganyika goby cichlid, a surf-zone pebble-dweller and biparental mouthbrooder.
Overview
Tanganicodus irsacae, the spotfin goby cichlid, is the smallest of the Tanganyika goby cichlids and the only species in its genus, described by Poll in 1950. It lives among pebbles in the surf zone, often solitary, and is a biparental mouthbrooder. The genus name honours the IRSAC research institute.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Tanganicodus
- Scientific name: Tanganicodus irsacae
- Described by Poll, 1950
Habitat
FishBase and Wikipedia report it only from the northern end of Lake Tanganyika, where it lives among pebbles in the surf-zone shoreline. It is a freshwater, benthopelagic species of tropical waters around 24-28 °C.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L (40 gal)
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.5-9.2
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- Strong water movement and high oxygenation; pebbly rocky layout
- Lifespan: 4-7 years
Replicate the surf zone with strong current, high oxygen and a pebbly substrate. FishBase lists a wild temperature near 24-28 °C; the parameters above follow the verified care record for hard, alkaline Rift-lake water.
Diet
Feeds on small crustaceans attached to rocks, with a low trophic level of about 2.0 per FishBase. In the aquarium offer small frozen and finely prepared foods, ideally with vegetable content, fed about twice daily.
Compatibility
Peaceful and bottom-oriented. It suits Tanganyika tanks with Cyprichromis and Julidochromis. Avoid mbuna, Tropheus and larger gobies that would dominate this small species.
Breeding
A biparental mouthbrooder. FishBase reports larvae up to about 1.12 cm are mouthbrooded by both parents, which measure roughly 4.4-5.1 cm standard length.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2025), per FishBase.