The Tanganyikan Goby Cichlid Eretmodus cyanostictus is believed to be one of the most ancient fish species. It is one of the larger Gobies that occurs in Lake Tanganyika, at around 3 1/2 inches (9cm) in length, but it is still a pretty small cichlid. It is also known as the Striped Goby Cichlid, Horse Nose Cichlid, Striped Clown Goby, and Tanganyika Clown.

Resembling a clown, this comical looking fish has blue tinted lips on a puckered mouth and is covered in stripes and spots. There are two recognized variants of this Goby species, Eretmodus cyanostictus and Eretmodus cyanostictus (north). The first variety is found in the southern part of the lake ranging from Kipili, Tanzania to Moliro, of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The second northern variety is found on the Ubwari Peninsula. The northern variant has a more underslung mouth, and the southern variant has a bit more red and orange in its fins than its northern counterpart.

These pretty cichlids are not only amusing in appearance but in personality as well. They will use their strong pectoral fins to perch on the bottom of the aquarium and when they swim, it's with a 'hopping' motion. In the wild their color patterning is designed to act as a camouflage, but combined with their swimming style in the aquarium, these fish give their keepers the impression that they're playing 'hide and seek.'

They are a fun cichlid to keep and a colorful addition to the aquarium. They make a great choice for an intermediate cichlid enthusiast who has limited space and cannot provide a large aquarium. As long as their needs are met, the aquarists will find they are easy to moderate to care for.