Steatocranus (
Boulenger, 1899) is a small
genus of
rheophilic cichlid fish primarily endemic to the
Congo River in West Africa, although one species,
Steatocranus irvinei, is found in Ghana. The genus currently includes 9 formally described
species, and at least 7 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,
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 tinanti (Poll, 1939)
- Steatocranus ubanguiensis Roberts & Stewart, 1976