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Ethelwynn's goby cichlid

Gobiocichla ethelwynnae

Also known as Cross River goby cichlid

FreshwaterFish

Ethelwynn's goby cichlid (Gobiocichla ethelwynnae)

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
2.8 in
7 cm
Minimum tank
30 gal
112 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Cave spawner · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Cross River rapids, Cameroon

Overview

The Ethelwynn's goby cichlid is a small rapids specialist that scoots from stone to stone along the bottom. It needs a fast-flowing tank and is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The Ethelwynn's goby cichlid honors Ethelwynn Trewavas, who was still hard at work on African cichlids in her eighties when it was named. She studied them almost to the end of a very long life.

Caring for the Ethelwynn's goby cichlid

Keep Ethelwynn's goby cichlids as a small group in at least 30 gal (112 L). Set the tank up as a fast-flowing river with plenty of rock, and skip delicate plants. Use smooth stone and cobbles for the floor and walls, and drive the current with a pump or two.

Keep the water soft to neutral, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Keep it very well oxygenated, which this rheophilic fish needs. Feed small sinking foods, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and cyclops. Make sure the flow does not sweep the food away before the fish get their share.

Ethelwynn's goby cichlids are mostly peaceful but can bicker over the best perches. Choose companions with some care, such as other current-loving fish that keep to open water. Avoid anything large or aggressive.

Like other rock-dwelling river cichlids, it spawns in a crevice and guards its eggs. Breeding is a moderate project, given enough flow and hiding places.

Good to know

The Ethelwynn's goby cichlid is an eel-slim, goby-like rheophile in the family Cichlidae. It was described in 1982, and its namesake was a British ichthyologist and a leading authority on African cichlids.

In the wild

Gobiocichla ethelwynnae is found only in the rapids of the Cross River in Cameroon. It clings to rock there in fast, oxygen-rich, turbulent water.

Common questions

What size tank does an Ethelwynn's goby cichlid need?

An Ethelwynn's goby cichlid needs at least 30 gal (112 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an Ethelwynn's goby cichlid need?

An Ethelwynn's goby cichlid is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does an Ethelwynn's goby cichlid eat?

An Ethelwynn's goby cichlid eats small sinking foods, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and cyclops. Make sure the flow does not sweep the food away before it gets a share.

How big does an Ethelwynn's goby cichlid get?

An adult Ethelwynn's goby cichlid reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).

How does an Ethelwynn's goby cichlid breed?

Ethelwynn's goby cichlids spawn in a crevice and guard their eggs. Breeding them is a moderate project, given enough flow and hiding places.

Related species