Spathodus erythrodon

Spathodus erythrodon is a goby cichlid resembling Eretmodus: it has a round head, large eyes and a downward-facing mouth, and it moves across rock surfaces in short hops. Its dark olive-brown body is covered with bright blue spots. It reaches about 8 cm. It lives on the shallow shores of the lake where waves break and feeds on the algae layer on the rocks and the small organisms living in it. It forms monogamous pairs, and the eggs are incubated in the parents' mouths.

• 100 liters for a pair; a wide footprint and flat stones.
• Strong flow and high oxygen are essential.
• pH 8–9, hard and stable water; a 30% water change every week.
• Fine sand or small gravel substrate, plenty of rock surface.

Omnivorous with a mostly plant-based diet. Make sinking granules and tablets containing spirulina the staple and vary it with frozen cyclops and brine shrimp.

It is territorial toward its own species and other goby cichlids; it usually causes no trouble with other species.

Good companions: Cyprichromis, Paracyprichromis, Julidochromis species.

Avoid: Eretmodus and other goby cichlids (in a small tank), aggressive cichlids that hold territories on the bottom, large carnivorous species.