Steatocranus

Steatocranus
File:Tinanti1.jpg
S. tinanti
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Cichlidae
Subfamily:	Pseudocrenilabrinae
Tribe:	Tilapiini
Genus:	Steatocranus Boulenger, 1899
Type species
Steatocranus gibbiceps Boulenger, 1899

Steatocranus is a small genus of rheophilic cichlids mostly native to the Congo River Basin in DR Congo/Congo Brazzaville, although one species, S. irvinei, is restricted to the Volta River in Ghana and will likely be removed from this genus at a future date. There are also at least 10 undescribed species awaiting description.

The fish in this genus all have relatively reduced swim bladder function. The name Steatocranus refers to the fatty deposit on the forehead of most species.

File:Steatocranus casuarius young.JPG

Young female Steatocranus casuarius

File:Bleheri.jpg

Young male Steatocranus bleheri Cichlidenwelt.de

Two species, S. casuarius (also known as the Buffalohead Cichlid) and S. 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

There are currently nine recognized species in this genus:

• Steatocranus bleheri M. K. Meyer, 1993
• Steatocranus casuarius Poll, 1939 (Lionhead cichlid)
• Steatocranus gibbiceps Boulenger, 1899
• Steatocranus glaber T. R. Roberts & D. J. Stewart, 1976
• Steatocranus irvinei (Trewavas, 1943)
• Steatocranus mpozoensis T. R. Roberts & D. J. Stewart, 1976
• Steatocranus rouxi (Pellegrin, 1928)
• Steatocranus tinanti (Poll, 1939)
• Steatocranus ubanguiensis T. R. Roberts & D. J. Stewart, 1976