Tanganyika Clown | Eretmodus cyanostictus
Cichlids / Africa / Lake Tanganyika / Tanganyika Clown
Profile: Striped Clown Goby, Striped Goby Cichlid, Tanganyika Clown
Eretmodus cyanostictus Synonyms: None
Physical description: A fish with a elongated body and a steep-sloping forehead. The inferior mouth is overshot. This arrangement makes the Striped Goby Cichlid look like it has a large nose. The eyes are located high-up on the head which is beige to light brown. This fish likes to rest on its pelvic fins. The body coloring is gray to light brown to even black. Six to seven yellow to white transverse stripes can be found on the body. Often a large number of small, iridescent blue spots also cover the body. The fins are gray.
Size/Length: To 3.3" (8.5 cm)
Similar species: Tanganicodus irsacae
Habitat: Eastern Africa; found on the pebbly bottoms of Lake Tanganyika shore areas.
S: bottom
Aquarium: 36" (91 cm) or 35 gallons (132 L). The substrate should be fine gravel and sand. Use rock structures in the background that include caves and crevices. Hiding places are important. Provide good aeration and filtration.
Water chemistry: pH 7.5-9.0 (8.2), 12-22 dH (18), 75-81°F (24-27°C)
Social behavior: This fish is territorial towards it own species when not paired up. Once a pair forms, the fish are non-aggressive towards each other. The Striped Goby cichlid can be kept in a community tank with fish of the upper swimming levels. Keep this fish singly, or in pairs.
Suggested companions: Lake Tanganyika cichlids, Synodontis, Aulonocara, Lamprichthys, Afromastacembelus , Rainbowfish.
FOOD: Algae; nutritious live foods; black mosquito larvae, crustaceans; tablets.
Sexual differences: Very difficult to distinguish with young fish. The male has egg-spots on his anal fin, has a longer pelvic fin, and reaches a larger size.
Breeding techniques: Use water with a pH of 8.8-9.0, with a hardness from 14-20 dH, and a hardness from 79-82°F (26-28°C). As many as 25 eggs are laid on a rock. These are fertilized by the male and then taken into the mouth of the female's mouth. This species forms strong pairs and both parents take turns mouth brooding the eggs. The fry are carried in their mouths for 21 days, when they are released. The fry remain hidden most of the time. Feed the young in the evening with Artemia and dry foods that reach the bottom. The slow-growing fry are difficult to raise.
Breeding potential: 9. Breeding is very difficult.
Remarks: These bi-parental mouthbrooders form long-term bonds, a practice that is unusual for mouthbrooders. Needs weekly water changes to prosper. This fish swims by "hoping" along the bottom.
Difficulty of care: 6. A delicate, but amusing species that does well in a Lake Tanganyika community tank.