Marlier's goby cichlid
Spathodus marlieri
Also known as Giant goby cichlid
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 7.8–9.0
- Adult size
- 3.9 in
- 10 cm
- Minimum tank
- 42 gal
- 160 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Tanganyika, northern basin
Overview
Marlier's goby cichlid is the largest of the Tanganyikan goby cichlids, a bottom dweller for a cobble tank with strong current. It is a fish for experienced keepers.
Did you know
Marlier's goby cichlid has little in the way of a swim bladder. Instead of cruising, it hops along the bottom among the cobbles.
Caring for the Marlier's goby cichlid
Give a pair of Marlier's goby cichlids at least 42 gal (160 L), with a floor of rounded cobbles and rock. They need brisk, oxygen-rich flow, so add strong water movement and lots of surface agitation.
Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.8 to 9.0, with powerful filtration. They graze algae and small invertebrates off the rocks. Feed vegetable-leaning foods with some frozen invertebrates.
Marlier's goby cichlid is the most short-tempered of the Tanganyikan goby cichlids. Keep a single pair and no rival gobies for it to fight with, and choose other tank mates with care. It holds a small territory among the cobbles and defends it firmly.
Dominant males grow a rounded hump on the forehead as they age. No other goby cichlid ages into a raised profile like that. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, with the female alone carrying the eggs and fry. Breeding it is demanding and rates as hard.
Good to know
Marlier's goby cichlid belongs to the family Cichlidae. It is one of the small, flat-headed goby cichlids of Lake Tanganyika.
In the wild
Spathodus marlieri holds station on wave-beaten rock in the far northern basin of Lake Tanganyika. The water there is very shallow, only a meter or two deep, and highly oxygenated.
Common questions
What size tank does a Marlier's goby cichlid need?
A Marlier's goby cichlid needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Marlier's goby cichlid need?
A Marlier's goby cichlid is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.8–9.0.
What does a Marlier's goby cichlid eat?
A Marlier's goby cichlid grazes algae and small invertebrates off the rocks. Feed it vegetable-leaning foods with some frozen invertebrates.
How big does a Marlier's goby cichlid get?
An adult Marlier's goby cichlid reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).
How can you tell a male Marlier's goby cichlid from a female?
Males that become dominant grow a rounded hump on the forehead as they age.
How does a Marlier's goby cichlid breed?
A Marlier's goby cichlid is a maternal mouthbrooder, and the female alone carries the eggs and fry. Breeding it is demanding and rates as hard.
Related species
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