| Steatocranus | |
|---|---|
| Steatocranus tinanti | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Subfamily: | Pseudocrenilabrinae |
| Tribe: | Tilapiini |
| Genus: | Steatocranus Boulenger, 1899 |
| Species | |
|
See text. |
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Steatocranus (Boulenger, 1899) is a small genus of rheophilic cichlid fish. Most are endemic to the Congo River Basin in DR Congo/Congo Brazzaville, although one species, S. irvinei, is restricted to the Volta River in Ghana.
The genus currently includes 9 formally described species, and at least 10 undescribed 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, 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.