Spotfin Goby Cichlid (Tanganicodus irsacae) Care Guide
Tanganicodus irsacae is the smallest Tanganyika goby cichlid, a surf-zone pebble-dweller and biparental mouthbrooder.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
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.
Tanganicodus irsacae Breeding Guide
Overview
Tanganicodus irsacae is the smallest of the Lake Tanganyika goby cichlids, reaching about 2.8 inches (7 cm) standard length (Seriously Fish). It is a bi-parental mouthbrooder in which both parents share incubation, and breeding is rated difficult - not recommended for beginners due to its sensitivity and specific requirements (Seriously Fish). The genus belongs to the eretmodine goby cichlids, which uniquely transfer the brood between female and male (peer-reviewed review).
Sexing
Sexing is difficult by external appearance. Seriously Fish recommends buying young fish and allowing them to pair off naturally rather than introducing an adult male and female together.
Conditioning
Condition breeders on a varied diet suited to a grazing micro-predator. Strong oxygenation is essential, in keeping with the surge-zone rocky habitat the genus occupies (Seriously Fish).
Breeding Setup
Provide a rocky tank with vigorous flow and high oxygen. Once a pair has formed they remain together for life (Seriously Fish). Breeding is reported at a pH of 8.2-9.0 and 77-80 deg F (25-27 deg C).
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The female selects and cleans a rock surface; after displays and circling she lays a few eggs, the male fertilises them, and she picks them up in her mouth, repeating until all eggs are laid (Seriously Fish). She mouthbroods for over two weeks, not eating, and is easily spotted by her distended mouth (Seriously Fish).
Egg & Fry Care
After hatching, the female transfers the fry to the male's mouth at the spawning site, with 1-2 fry gently blown out by the female and picked up by the male at a time (Seriously Fish). The male then incubates for 5-10 days before releasing them over several hours. Newly released fry accept brine shrimp nauplii and powdered spirulina flake from day one, and growth is slow, as with many Tanganyikan species (Seriously Fish).
Common Challenges
Maintaining strong oxygenation and current, establishing a compatible pair, and supporting slow-growing fry make this a demanding, advanced project. The small adult size also means brood numbers are limited.