General information – The Eretmodus cyanostictus belongs to the

genera Eretmodus.In the wild, the Eretmodus cyanostictus or by its

common name Tanganyikan Goby Cichlid live in extremely shallow

water along the shorelines where the oxygen levels is high. The

Tanganyika Clown has an elongated body and a steep-sloping forehead.

The body coloring is gray to light brown. Its body covers with 6-7

yellow/white stripes and with plenty of small, iridescent blue shiny

spots. The Tanganyikan Goby Cichlid is listed on the IUCN Red List

with the status of Near Threatened.   

Common Name - Tanganyika Clown, Striped Goby Cichlid,

Tanganyikan Goby Cichlid 

Scientific Name - Eretmodus cyanostictus 

Photo by: Gil Peleg

Origin - Lake Tanganyika, Africa 

Size – Up to 10 cm (about 3-4 in) 

First discovered – Boulenger, 1898 

Nutrition - Omnivores, this beautiful cichlid can be feed with frozen foods and from time to time with live

foods. it is recommended to avoid food with high protein levels. The Tanganyikan Goby Cichlid eats small

algae on the rocks as well. It is also important to provide them foods with vegetable within.  

Behavior – Semi- aggressive, extremely aggressive towards it own species 

Maintenance and care – The Tanganyikan Goby Cichlid inhabits the bottom of the tank. The tank should

be decorated with plenty of rocks, caves and other hiding places. The Tanganyika Clown should be kept

alone or in pair but these cichlids are not tolerant of their own species. Keeping it in wrong ration will lead

to death. In nature it inhabits shallow water along the shorelines where the oxygen level is high so it is

essential to provide him good aeration and filtration.    

Water Parameters – Temperature: 75F - 81F (25C - 27°C), Ph: 8-9, dH: 10-20 

Breeding - The Tanganyikan Goby are bi-parental mouthbrooders. After pair created a strong bond

between the male and female is established. The female will clear a flat spot on a rock or in a cave

and display to attract the male. She will lay only 1 or 2 eggs and then immediately pick them up in

her mouth. eggs will be fertilized after the male release his milt into her mouth. This process occurs

when the female follow the male very close to his anal fin, the male have spots on this fin, those

spots known as dummy eggs, the female believes these are more eggs and goes to catch them

this is the right moment for the male to release his milt. The female will repeat it over and over again

until 10 to 30 eggs are produced. As young female she will produce 5-10 eggs but as she gets

mature she will produce up to 30 eggs.  The female carries the eggs until they hatch and then

perform a unique behavior, she spits 1 or 2 fry towards the male, and the male takes the fry into

his mouth and continue to incubate them. Fry can be feed with Artemia Nauplii, liquid fry food and

then with tiny crushed flake/pellet foods.

Photo by: Gil Peleg