Goby cichlid
Gobiocichla wonderi
Also known as Niger goby cichlid
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 2.6 in
- 6.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 30 gal
- 112 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Substrate spawner · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Niger River rapids, West Africa
Overview
The goby cichlid is a small, elongated rapids cichlid that clings to rock in fast water. It needs that current recreated to do well, and it suits a keeper with a little experience.
Did you know
Life in the rapids has reshaped the goby cichlid into something closer to a goby, with a long, low, gripping body. It is a case of very different fish arriving at the same design when fast water demands it.
Caring for the goby cichlid
Give a small group of goby cichlids at least 30 gal (112 L), with strong flow. Drive plenty of current with an added pump over a bed of water-worn stones and cobbles. Leave enough crevices in the rockwork that each male can hold one. They stay low, slotting into gaps between stones rather than swimming in open water.
Keep the water warm and close to neutral, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Keep it clean and well oxygenated. Feed small foods such as fine sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp, plus some algae-based food. In the wild it grazes and picks at the stones.
The goby cichlid is peaceful toward other species, but males are territorial with each other. Choose calm tank mates that also suit brisk, well-oxygenated conditions, and avoid slow, long-finned fish. It is a substrate spawner that lays its eggs in the shelter of the rocks, and breeding is of moderate difficulty.
Good to know
Gobiocichla wonderi is a small member of the family Cichlidae. It was described in 1951 and is one of just two species in its West African genus.
In the wild
The goby cichlid lives in the rapids of the middle and upper Niger in West Africa. It wedges itself among rocks in turbulent, oxygen-rich water, and its home is defined by flow.
Common questions
What size tank does a goby cichlid need?
A goby cichlid needs at least 30 gal (112 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a goby cichlid need?
A goby cichlid is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.
What does a goby cichlid eat?
A goby cichlid eats small foods such as fine sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp, plus some algae-based food. In the wild it grazes and picks at the stones.
How big does a goby cichlid get?
An adult goby cichlid reaches about 2.6 in (6.5 cm).
How does a goby cichlid breed?
The goby cichlid is a substrate spawner that lays its eggs in the shelter of the rocks. Breeding it is of moderate difficulty.
Related species
2.8 in (7 cm)30 gal (112 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Ethelwynn's goby cichlid
Gobiocichla ethelwynnae
2.8 in (7 cm) · 30 gal (112 L)
2.6 in (6.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Blue-cheek dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma eunotus
2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.6 in (6.5 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Consortus nanochromis
Nanochromis consortus
2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
2.6 in (6.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Ortega's dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma ortegai
2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
2.6 in (6.5 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Parilus nanochromis
Nanochromis parilus
2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
2.6 in (6.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Sabina's dwarf cichlid
Congochromis sabinae
2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)