Fish Guide

Steatocranus
Steatocranus tinanti
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia   Phylum: Chordata   Class: Actinopterygii   Order: Perciformes   Family: Cichlidae   Genus: Steatocranus
Species
See text.

Steatocranus (Boulenger, 1899) is a small genus of rheophilic cichlid fish endemic to the Congo River, although one species, Steatocranus irevinei, occurs in west Africa. The genus currently includes 9 species, all of which have relatively reduced swim bladder function. The name Steatocranus refers to the fatty deposit on the forehead of most species. Two species, Steatocranus casuarius (also known as the lionhead, blockhead or humphead) and Steatocranus tinanti are relatively common in the aquarium trade. As for other cichlids brood care is highly developed and both sexes are involved in raising the young. All Steatocranus species are secretive cave spawners and form monogamous pairs for breeding. The female is more actively involved in fry raising, while the male is primarily concerned with territorial defence.

Species

• Steatocranus bleheri Meyer, 1993
• Steatocranus casuarius Poll, 1939
• Steatocranus gibbiceps Boulenger, 1899
• Steatocranus glaber Roberts & Stewart, 1976
• Steatocranus irvinei (Trewavas, 1943)
• Steatocranus mpozoensis Roberts & Stewart, 1976
• Steatocranus rouxi (Pellegrin, 1928)
• Steatocranus sp red eyes
• Steatocranus tinanti (Poll, 1939)
• Steatocranus ubanguiensis Roberts & Stewart, 1976

young male Steatocranus sp red eyes ® Cichlidenwelt.de

young female Steatocranus casuarius

young male Steatocranus bleheri ® Cichlidenwelt.de