Keeping Goby Cichlids

[azn_fishy55]

I am new to Cichlids, and I am interested in keeping the Striped Goby Cichlids. Does anyone have any info on this fish?Such as min. tank size,pH levels,foods to feed,lighting,substrate,plants?,and tank mates.

 

[azn_fishy55]

anyone know about goby cichlids???

 

[Fluff]

I know nothing about them but did find out that they can get to 3" (8cm), temp 81F, ph 8.2, food types- Cichlid Bites, Pacific Plankton, Spirulina Flakes. They are egg layer/mouth brooders and bottom swimmers. And they are listed as aggressive. Oh, and ideal enviroment said rocks only so I would say plants wouldn't be a good choice. Lighting I guess would depend on if you put in plants or not but I would assume normal lights would be appropriate.
If I find anything else, I'll post it.

 

[Fluff]

Striped Clown Goby, Striped Goby Cichlid, Tanganyika Clown
Eretmodus cyanostictus
SYN: None
PD: 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: To 3.3" (8.5 cm)
SS: Tanganicodus irsacae
HAB: Eastern Africa; found on the pebbly bottoms of Lake Tanganyika shore areas.
S: bottom
TANK: 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: pH 7.5-9.0 (8.2), 12-22 dH (18), 75-81°F (24-27°C)
SB: 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.
SC: Lake Tanganyika cichlids, Synodontis, Aulonocara, Lamprichthys, Afromastacembelus , Rainbowfish.
FOOD: Algae; nutritious live foods; black mosquito larvae, crustaceans; tablets.
SEX: 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.
B: 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.
BP: 9. Breeding is very difficult.
R: 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.
DC: 6. A delicate, but amusing species that does well in a Lake Tanganyika community tank.

http://www.mongabay.com/fish/lake_tanganyika_cichlids2.htm#Eretmodus cyanostictus

 

[azn_fishy55]

Thanks, how many do you think I could put into a 30 gallon?And the only species I want to keep are the Striped Goby Cichlid, so could I put some other fish in with it?

 

[Toirtis]

To add:

http://www.malawicichlidhomepage.com/other/eretmodus_cyanostictus.htm

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/e_cyanostictus.php

http://mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/Eretmodus.html

 

[azn_fishy55]

So here is my plan:
The tank will be a thirty gallon long tank with standard fluorescent lighting.The substrate will be crushed coral or aragonite.The decor will be rocks and caves.The filtration will be a AquaClear filter with BioMax,Activated Carbon,and a Sponge.Do you think this is a good idea?

 

[azn_fishy55]

So here is my plan:
The tank will be a thirty gallon long tank with standard fluorescent lighting.The substrate will be crushed coral or aragonite.The decor will be rocks and caves.The filtration will be a AquaClear filter with BioMax,Activated Carbon,and a Sponge.Do you think this is a good idea?

 

[Toirtis]

Yes, but lose the activated carbon and replace it with an extra sponge....the carbon is pretty much useless after a couple of days use anyways.

 

[azn_fishy55]

How many goby cichlids could I have with-out any agressivness or deaths?And are there any there other fish that can get along with goby cichlids?

 

[Fluff]

SC: Lake Tanganyika cichlids, Synodontis, Aulonocara, Lamprichthys, Afromastacembelus , Rainbowfish.

Compatible with ^^

I really don't know how many you could put into a 30gL. But, 30g is kinda tight though for cichlids I thought. Might want to stick with the gobies, maybe some smaller synod's and maybe some rainbows for the top of the tank.

 

[greenmaji]

surface area is usually the problem with cichlids.. if you have a 30 gallon tall I would suggest getting a bigger aquarium.. the 30 gallon breeder might suffice.. but I personally wouldnt risk it..

 

[azn_fishy55]

so having fish in the 30 gallon long is a bad idea?

 

[greenmaji]

TANK: 36" (91 cm) or 35 gallons (132 L).

that would be a wide 36" tank such as the 30 breeder.. the 30 long has less surfase area..
Its justs advisable to have at least that much surfase area.. you might have territory issues with less..

 

[azn_fishy55]

Well I was only going to get 2 goby cichlids and some rainbowfishes.Are there any species I should look for?